Single-atom catalysis for zinc-air/O2 batteries, water electrolyzers and fuel cells applications

We summarize the latest progress achieved in precious and non-precious carbon based single-atom catalytic active sites, including Pd, Pt, Ir, Ru, Rh, Au, Fe, Co, Mn, Zn, Sn, and Cu, aiming at facilitating metal-air/O-2 batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel-cells commercialization. Correspondingly, several aspects of the intrinsic catalytic activity, for example, the role of center-metal-atoms, number and type of metal-coordinated atoms, and the surrounding environment of central-metal-atom, are systematically discussed. This review includes two major parts: i) the rational summary of recently reported catalysts, comprising synthesis/identification approaches of active sites to catalytic performance, and ii) the basic key factors, influencing the performance. Equal emphasis is given to experimental results and theoretical calculations to figure out the structure-function correlation between the active-sites configuration and the intrinsic electrocatalytic performance. A research paradigm is suggested to design advanced single-metal-atom catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Regardless of these developments, we highlight some remaining debatable issues that require urgent attention. Finally, we provide a comprehensive perspective on the development and progress of single-metal-atom catalysts for fuel cells and batteries.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the recent progress in precious and non-precious carbon based single-atom catalytic active sites for metal-air/O-2 batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel-cells commercialization. The intrinsic catalytic activity, including the role of center-metal-atoms, metal-coordinated atoms, and the surrounding environment, is systematically discussed. The review focuses on the synthesis/identification approaches of active sites, their catalytic performance, and the factors influencing the performance, with equal emphasis on experimental results and theoretical calculations.