Atom migration-trapping toward single-atom catalysts for energy electrocatalysis

Single-atom catalysts (SACs), which contain individual metal atoms solely anchored to a robust support, have excelled as a rising star and new frontier in the field of catalysis due to their unique properties and ultimate atomic utilization. Multifarious strategies have been developed to access SACs, however, it still remains a formidable challenge to fabricate SACs with well-defined structure and high mass loading because of the high propensity of single atoms to aggregate. Atom migration-trapping (AMT) strategy is an efficient route to guarantee that only the most stable binding sites are occupied, thus, achieving highly stable SACs at large scale. In this article, we summarize recent advances in the AMT strategy to prepare SACs and their applications in diverse energy-related electrocatalysis including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). In the end, we present a brief conclusion and perspective about the AMT phenomenon for the synthesis of SACs. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In summary, this article reviews recent advances in the Atom Migration-Trapping (AMT) strategy for preparing Single-Atom Catalysts (SACs) and their applications in various energy-related electrocatalysis fields. Although fabricating SACs with well-defined structure and high mass loading remains a challenge, the AMT strategy can ensure the formation of highly stable SACs.