Designing
efficient
and
cost-effective
electrocatalysts
toward
oxygen
reduction
reaction
(ORR)
under
demanding
acidic
environments
plays
a
critical
role
in
advancing
proton
exchange
membrane
fuel
cells
(PEMFCs).
Metal–nitrogen–carbon
(M–N–C)
catalysts
with
atomically
dispersed
metals
have
gained
attention
for
their
affordability,
excellent
catalytic
performance,
distinctive
features
including
consistent
active
sites
high
atomic
utilization.
Over
the
past
decade,
significant
achievements
been
made
this
field.
This
review
offers
comprehensive
summary
of
latest
developments
M–N–C
ORR
along
applications
PEMFCs.
The
mechanisms,
PEMFC
configuration,
operational
principles
are
presented
first,
followed
by
an
in-depth
discussion
strategies
to
improve
activity
stability
using
at
cathode.
Lastly,
highlights
unresolved
challenges
proposes
future
research
pathways
high-performance
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: March 12, 2024
Abstract
The
precise
design
of
single-atom
nanozymes
(SAzymes)
and
understanding
their
biocatalytic
mechanisms
hold
great
promise
for
developing
ideal
bio-enzyme
substitutes.
While
considerable
efforts
have
been
directed
towards
mimicking
partial
bio-inspired
structures,
the
integration
heterogeneous
SAzymes
configurations
homogeneous
enzyme-like
mechanism
remains
an
enormous
challenge.
Here,
we
show
a
spatial
engineering
strategy
to
fabricate
dual-sites
with
atomic
Fe
active
center
adjacent
Cu
sites.
Compared
planar
Fe–Cu
dual-atomic
sites,
vertically
stacked
geometry
in
FePc@2D-Cu–N–C
possesses
highly
optimized
scaffolds,
favorable
substrate
affinity,
fast
electron
transfer.
These
characteristics
SAzyme
induces
biomimetic
O
2
activation
through
homogenous
enzymatic
pathway,
resembling
functional
mechanistic
similarity
natural
cytochrome
c
oxidase.
Furthermore,
it
presents
appealing
alternative
P450
3A4
drug
metabolism
drug–drug
interaction.
findings
are
expected
deepen
fundamental
atomic-level
next-generation
nanozymes.
Chemical Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(36), P. 14585 - 14607
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
The
development
of
high-efficiency
atomic-level
catalysts
for
energy-conversion
and
-storage
technologies
is
crucial
to
address
energy
shortages.
spin
states
diatomic
(DACs)
are
closely
tied
their
catalytic
activity.
Adjusting
the
DACs'
active
centers
can
directly
modify
occupancy
d-orbitals,
thereby
influencing
bonding
strength
between
metal
sites
intermediates
as
well
transfer
during
electro
reactions.
Herein,
we
discuss
various
techniques
characterizing
atomic
strategies
modulating
center
states.
Next,
outline
recent
progress
in
study
effects
DACs
oxygen
reduction
reaction
(ORR),
evolution
(OER),
hydrogen
(HER),
electrocatalytic
nitrogen/nitrate
(eNRR/NO
Nano-Micro Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: Feb. 29, 2024
Abstract
The
exploration
of
sustainable
energy
utilization
requires
the
implementation
advanced
electrochemical
devices
for
efficient
conversion
and
storage,
which
are
enabled
by
usage
cost-effective,
high-performance
electrocatalysts.
Currently,
heterogeneous
atomically
dispersed
catalysts
considered
as
potential
candidates
a
wide
range
applications.
Compared
to
conventional
catalysts,
metal
atoms
in
carbon-based
have
more
unsaturated
coordination
sites,
quantum
size
effect,
strong
metal–support
interactions,
resulting
exceptional
catalytic
activity.
Of
these,
dual-atomic
(DACs)
attracted
extensive
attention
due
additional
synergistic
effect
between
two
adjacent
atoms.
DACs
advantages
full
active
site
exposure,
high
selectivity,
theoretical
100%
atom
utilization,
ability
break
scaling
relationship
adsorption
free
on
sites.
In
this
review,
we
summarize
recent
research
advancement
DACs,
includes
(1)
comprehensive
understanding
synergy
atomic
pairs;
(2)
synthesis
DACs;
(3)
characterization
methods,
especially
aberration-corrected
scanning
transmission
electron
microscopy
synchrotron
spectroscopy;
(4)
energy-related
last
part
focuses
great
catalysis
small
molecules,
such
oxygen
reduction
reaction,
CO
2
hydrogen
evolution
N
reaction.
future
challenges
opportunities
also
raised
prospective
section.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 7, 2024
Abstract
Electrocatalytic
nitrogen
(N
2
)
reduction
reaction
(NRR)
presents
a
sustainable
alternative
to
the
Haber–Bosch
process
for
ammonia
(NH
3
synthesis.
Iron
phthalocyanine
(FePc)
is
demonstrated
as
promising
catalyst
electrocatalytic
NRR.
However,
FePc
with
planar
symmetric
Fe‐N
4
sites
exhibits
poor
N
adsorption
and
activation
capabilities,
resulting
in
an
unsatisfactory
NRR
performance.
Herein,
axial
oxygen
coordination
strategy
developed
optimize
local
electron
distribution
on
improving
activation.
The
as‐obtained
FePc‐O‐CP
shows
superior
NH
yield
rate
(59.72
µg
h
−1
mg
cat.
considerable
Faradaic
efficiency
(13.76%)
0.1
m
HCl.
Density
functional
theory
(DFT)
calculations
verify
that
ligand
inhibits
of
H
+
enhances
activation,
thereby
greatly
promoting
generation.
This
work
reveals
significance
regulating
environment
single‐atom
catalysts
performance
provides
feasible
rational
design
atomic‐scale
active
sites.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Sept. 30, 2024
Abstract
Oxygen
electrocatalysis,
as
the
pivotal
circle
of
many
green
energy
technologies,
sets
off
a
worldwide
research
boom
in
full
swing,
while
its
large
kinetic
obstacles
require
remarkable
catalysts
to
break
through.
Here,
based
on
summarizing
reaction
mechanisms
and
situ
characterizations,
structure–activity
relationships
oxygen
electrocatalysts
are
emphatically
overviewed,
including
influence
geometric
morphology
chemical
structures
electrocatalytic
performances.
Subsequently,
experimental/theoretical
is
combined
with
device
applications
comprehensively
summarize
cutting‐edge
according
various
material
categories.
Finally,
future
challenges
forecasted
from
perspective
catalyst
development
applications,
favoring
researchers
promote
industrialization
electrocatalysis
at
an
early
date.
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 17, 2025
Fe-N-C
materials
are
emerging
catalysts
for
replacing
precious
platinum
in
the
oxygen
reduction
reaction
(ORR)
renewable
energy
conversion.
However,
their
potential
is
hindered
by
sluggish
ORR
kinetics,
leading
to
a
high
overpotential
and
impeding
efficient
Using
iron
phthalocyanine
(FePc)
as
model
catalyst,
we
elucidate
how
local
strain
can
enhance
performance
of
Fe-N-Cs.
We
use
density
functional
theory
predict
mechanism
four-electron
water.
Several
key
differences
between
mechanisms
curved
flat
FePc
suggest
that
molecular
accelerates
reductive
desorption
*OH
decreasing
barrier
∼60
meV.
Our
theoretical
predictions
substantiated
experimental
validation;
find
strained
on
single-walled
carbon
nanotubes
attains
half-wave
(E1/2)
0.952
V
versus
reversible
hydrogen
electrode
Tafel
slope
35.7
mV
dec-1,
which
competitive
with
best-reported
values.
also
observe
70
change
E1/2
dramatically
different
slopes
configurations,
agree
well
calculated
energies.
When
integrated
into
zinc-air
battery,
our
device
affords
maximum
power
350.6
mW
cm-2
mass
activity
810
mAh
gZn-1
at
10
mA
cm-2.
results
indicate
provides
compelling
tool
modulating
activities
materials.
Small,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 2, 2025
Abstract
The
dual‐site
electrocatalysts
formed
by
metal
single
atoms
combines
with
nanoparticles
represent
a
promising
strategy
to
enhance
both
oxygen
reduction
reaction
(ORR)
and
evolution
(OER)
performance.
Herein,
defect
engineering
is
applied
ORR
OER
electrocatalysts.
Its
design,
synthesis,
structural
properties,
catalytic
performance
experimentally
theoretically
are
insightfully
studied
for
the
single‐atomic
Fe─N
4
adjacent
Fe
7
Co
3
nanoalloy
(FeCo
NA
)
as
loading
on
nitrogen‐doped
graphene
aerogel
(Fe─N/FeCo@NGA).
high‐density
dual‐sites,
together
good
electronic
conductivity
of
NGA,
synergistically
improve
structure
superior
electrocatalytic
activity.
half‐wave
potential
Fe─N/FeCo@NGA
in
0.92
V
overpotential
it
1.58
V.
Corresponding
all‐solid‐state
Zn‐air
battery
demonstrates
peak
power
density
147.6
mW
cm
−2
charge/discharge
durability
over
140
h.
Theoretical
calculations
reveal
that
Fe‐N
FeCo
skeleton
optimized
further
refine
local
structure,
modulating
tensile
force
O─O
bond
*
OOH
intermediate,
leading
its
spontaneous
dissociation
facilitating
significantly
reduced
energy
barrier.
This
work
takes
shortcut
application
development
highly
efficient
bifunctional
atoms.
Nano Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
24(29), P. 9034 - 9041
Published: July 11, 2024
FeNC
catalysts
are
considered
one
of
the
most
promising
alternatives
to
platinum
group
metals
for
oxygen
reduction
reaction
(ORR).
Despite
extensive
research
on
improving
ORR
activity,
undesirable
durability
is
still
a
critical
issue
its
practical
application.
Herein,
inspired
by
antioxidant
mechanism
natural
enzymes,
CeO
Carbon Neutralization,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
3(4), P. 501 - 532
Published: June 4, 2024
Abstract
Carbon‐based
materials
have
been
found
to
accelerate
the
sluggish
kinetic
reaction
and
are
largely
subject
overall
Zn‐air
batteries
(ZABs)
property,
while
their
full
catalytic
mechanism
is
still
not
excavated
because
of
indistinct
internal
structure
immature
in‐situ
technology.
Up
now,
systematic
methods
utilized
study
design
promising
high‐performance
carbon‐based
catalysts.
To
resolve
real
active
units
mechanism,
developing
molecular
catalyst
a
significant
strategy.
Herein,
review
will
initiate
briefly
introduce
working
principle
composition
ZABs.
An
important
statement
correspondingly
provided
about
typical
mechanisms
for
air
cathode
material.
It
also
presents
tremendous
endeavors
on
performance
stability
Furthermore,
combined
with
theoretical
calculation,
self‐defined
sites
analyzed
understand
character,
where
subsequently
summarized
discussed
through
highlighting
unambiguous
controllable
structure,
in
hope
surfacing
optimum
catalyst.
Building
fundamental
understanding
catalysts,
this
expected
provide
guidance
direction
toward
designing
future
mechanistic
studies
ORR
electrocatalysts.