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Review Article | Open Access

Design strategies towards transition metal single atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction – A review

Yaojia Cheng1Hao Wang1Haoqiang Song1Kan Zhang2Geoffrey I.N. Waterhouse3Jiangwei Chang1( )Zhiyong Tang4Siyu Lu1( )
Green Catalysis Center, and College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
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Graphical Abstract

In-situ/operando characterization measurements and theoretical predictions are summarized to deepen understanding of the structure-performance relationships of transition metal single atom catalysts (TM SACs) dispersed on N-doped carbon supports at both atomic and molecular level. Meanwhile, some perspectives are offered relating to the fundamental science needed for TM SACs to find practical application in a wide-range of energy storage and conversion devices.

Abstract

The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is pivotal in energy conversion via a 4e ORR pathway and green hydrogen peroxide production via 2e ORR pathway. Transition metal single atom catalysts (TM SACs) have attracted intense attention in recent years for ORR due to their high activity and near maximum metal atom utilization. The future development of TM SACs for ORR requires improved understanding of reaction pathways, since currently the true origin of activity remains contentious owing to the lack of qualitative/quantitative information about active sites. Knowledge-guided design is imperative for the optimization of TM SACs performance in terms of activity and selectivity. This review focuses on the latest progress in the design of TM SACs for ORR, placing particular attention on efforts to elucidate reaction mechanisms. Experimental evidence based on in-situ/operando characterization measurements, along with theoretical predictions, are summarized to deepen understanding of the structure-performance relationships at both atomic and molecular level. Finally, some perspectives are offered relating to the fundamental science needed for TM SACs to find practical application in energy storage and conversion devices. We hope this review will inspire the development of new synthetic routes towards high-performance ORR electrocatalysts for the energy sector.

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Nano Research Energy
Article number: e9120082
Cite this article:
Cheng Y, Wang H, Song H, et al. Design strategies towards transition metal single atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction – A review. Nano Research Energy, 2023, 2: e9120082. https://doi.org/10.26599/NRE.2023.9120082

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Received: 04 May 2023
Revised: 21 May 2023
Accepted: 24 May 2023
Published: 02 June 2023
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Tsinghua University Press.

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