Issue 39, 2022

Non-precious transition metal single-atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: progress and prospects

Abstract

The massive exploitation and use of fossil resources have created many negative issues, such as energy shortage and environmental pollution. It prompts us to turn our attention to the development of new energy technologies. This review summarizes the recent research progress of non-precious transition metal single-atom catalysts (NPT-SACs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in Zn–air batteries and fuel cells. Some commonly used preparation methods and their advantages/disadvantages have been summarized. The factors affecting the ORR performances of NPT-SACs have been focused upon, such as the substrate type, coordination environment and nanocluster effects. The loading mass of a metal atom has a direct effect on the ORR performances. Some general strategies for stabilizing metal atoms are included. This review points out some existing challenges of NPT-SACs, and also provides ideas for designing and synthesizing NPT-SACs with excellent ORR performances. The large-scale preparation and commercialization of NPT-SACs with excellent ORR properties are prospected.

Graphical abstract: Non-precious transition metal single-atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: progress and prospects

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
06 Jul 2022
Accepted
06 Sep 2022
First published
07 Sep 2022

Nanoscale, 2022,14, 14322-14340

Non-precious transition metal single-atom catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: progress and prospects

P. Jiao, D. Ye, C. Zhu, S. Wu, C. Qin, C. An, N. Hu and Q. Deng, Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 14322 DOI: 10.1039/D2NR03687H

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