Adjusting the Criteria for Hydrogen Evolution by Single-Atom Catalysts.
Mansu Kim1, Sohui Kim2, Xijun Wang3
1Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 28, 2025
Summary
This study introduces electrocatalysts with true platinum single-atom (Pt SA) sites, clarifying the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism. These catalysts avoid strong support interactions, potentially maximizing hydrogen production efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis science
- Sustainable energy
- Electrocatalysis
Background:
- Downsizing noble metal catalysts enhances atomic efficiency for sustainable energy.
- Current strategies often involve anchoring single atoms (SAs) to substrates, which can alter catalyst electronic structure and complicate reaction mechanisms like the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the interfacial mechanism of HER using structurally well-defined platinum single-atom (Pt SA) electrocatalysts.
- To clarify ambiguities surrounding single-atom electrocatalysis by using catalysts composed solely of true SA sites.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical deposition of platinum single atoms (Pt SA) onto catalyst supports.
- Characterization of the catalyst's structure and electronic properties.
- Investigation of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism at the catalyst interface.
Main Results:
- Electrocatalysts composed solely of true Pt SA sites were successfully synthesized.
- Electrochemical deposition avoids strong support interactions, unlike chemically reduced SAs.
- The study provides a clearer understanding of the HER mechanism at the single-atom level.
Conclusions:
- Structurally well-defined Pt SA electrocatalysts offer a pathway to achieving theoretical maximum hydrogen production efficiency.
- This work clarifies the fundamental mechanism of single-atom electrocatalysis by isolating the effects of the catalyst support.
- The findings are crucial for designing advanced catalysts for sustainable energy applications.
More Related Videos
06:32A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
19.7K
10:21Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
8.5K
Related Concept Videos
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
12.5K
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called 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...
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...
12.5K
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
3.4K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
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...
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...
3.4K
02:50Catalysis
27.5K
The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
27.5K
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
8.1K
Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
8.1K
01:28Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
4.8K
Unlike the easy catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene double bond, hydrogenation of a benzene double bond under similar reaction conditions does not take place easily. For example, in the reduction of stilbene, the benzene ring remains unaffected while the alkene bond gets reduced. Hydrogenation of an alkene double bond is exothermic and a favorable process. In contrast, to hydrogenate the first unsaturated bond of benzene, an energy input is needed; that is, the process is endothermic. This is...
4.8K
02:27Limiting Reactant
60.2K
The relative amounts of reactants and products represented in a balanced chemical equation are often referred to as stoichiometric amounts. However, in reality, the reactants are not always present in the stoichiometric amounts indicated by the balanced equation.
60.2K