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Review Article

Synthesis techniques, mechanism, and prospects of high-loading single-atom catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions

Mingyuan Pang1,§, Min Yang1,§, Haohao Zhang1, Yuqing Shen1, Zhen Kong1( ), Jiajia Ye1, Chaoyue Shan1, Ying Wang1, Juan An1( ), Wensi Li1, Xing Gao1, Jibin Song2( )
School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan 250200, China
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

§ Mingyuan Pang and Min Yang contributed equally to this work.

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Graphical Abstract

This paper firstly summarizes eight preparation methods of highly loaded single-atom catalysts and analyzes the corresponding methods, in addition to summarizing the performance of highly loaded noble metal, non-precious metal, and bimetallic single-atom catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and finally makes suggestions for the development of highly loaded single-atom catalysts.

Abstract

The importance of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells and zinc-air batteries is self-evident, and effective catalysts could significantly improve the catalytic efficiency of ORR. Single-atom catalysts are gaining increasing interest due to their high atom efficiency and effective catalytic performance compared to other catalyst types. While the optimal loading of catalytic sites in single-atom catalysts significantly influences their catalytic efficiency. However, creating stable single-atom catalysts with high-loading remains a difficult task. Therefore, we showcase and describe the latest developments in techniques for producing single-atom catalysts with high-loadings. In addition, the performance of noble metal, non-precious metal, and diatomic catalysts in ORR processes is summarized. What’s more, the key difficulties and opportunities in the sector are demonstrated by examining the synthesis techniques and evaluating the performance and structure. This review will help researchers to advance the research process of high-loading single-atom catalysts and accelerate their practical application in the field of ORR research.

Keywords

oxygen reduction reactionhigh-loadingsingle-atom catalysts

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Nano Research
Volume 17 Issue 11,
November 2024
Pages 9371-9396
DOI: 10.1007/s12274-024-6923-8
Cite this article:
Pang M, Yang M, Zhang H, et al. Synthesis techniques, mechanism, and prospects of high-loading single-atom catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Nano Research, 2024, 17(11): 9371-9396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-024-6923-8
Topics:
Oxygen reduction reaction

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Received: 27 June 2024
Revised: 28 July 2024
Accepted: 30 July 2024
Published: 03 September 2024
© Tsinghua University Press 2024
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