Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2025

Simple Methods for the Preparation of Non-noble Metal Bulk-electrodes for Electrocatalytic Applications
Published on: June 21, 2017
Main-Group Nonmetal Single-Selenium-Atom Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Junmei Pu1, Songrui Wei2, Haoran Zou3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, P. R. China.
We developed a scalable method to create selenium single atoms embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (Se SA/NC). This material shows excellent performance and stability for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), outperforming noble metal catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable energy technologies.
- Nonmetal single-atom catalysts offer a promising alternative to expensive noble metal catalysts.
- Nitrogen-doped carbon materials provide a robust support for single-atom catalysts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable synthesis strategy for nonmetal selenium single atoms supported on nitrogen-doped carbon (Se SA/NC).
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance and stability of Se SA/NC for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- To elucidate the mechanism behind the enhanced HER activity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Se SA/NC via hydrogen bonding and subsequent calcination.
- Electrochemical characterization of Se SA/NC for alkaline HER.
- Experimental and theoretical studies (e.g., DFT calculations) to understand the catalytic mechanism.
Main Results:
- A scalable method for producing Se SA/NC with 3.2 wt% Se single atoms was established.
- The optimized Se SA/NC exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability for alkaline HER.
- Se single atoms significantly lowered the reaction barrier, enhancing the HER performance.
Conclusions:
- Se SA/NC is a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for alkaline HER.
- The study demonstrates the potential of nonmetal single-atom catalysts for energy applications.
- This work provides a feasible strategy for designing advanced nonmetal single-atom catalysts for HER.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
10:21Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Alkali Metals
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Catalysis
Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer