AUTHOR=Li Wei , Chen Zhikai , Jiang Xiaoli , Jiang Jinxia , Zhang Yagang 

TITLE=Recent advances in the design of single-atom electrocatalysts by defect engineering

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2022.1011597

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2022.1011597

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=Single atom catalysts (SACs) with isolated metal atoms dispersed on supports have attracted increasing attention due to their maximum atomic utilization and excellent catalytic performance in various electrochemical reactions. However, SACs with a high surface-to-volume ratio are fundamentally less stable and easy to agglomerate to weaken their activity. Besides, another issues restricted the application of SACs is the low metal loading. Defect engineering is the most effective strategy for the precise synthesis of nanomaterials to catch and immobilize single atom through the modulation of electronic structure and coordination environment. Herein, in this minireview, the latest advances in designing SACs by defect engineering have been first highlighted. Then, the heteroatom doping or intrinsic defects of carbon-based support and anion vacancies or cation vacancies of metal-based supports are systematically evaluated. Subsequently, the structure-activity relationships between single atom coupled defect structure and electrocatalytic performance are illustrated by combining experimental results and theoretical calculations. Finally, a perspective supplied to reveal the current challenges and opportunities for controllable preparation, in situ characterization, and commercial applications is further proposed.