Fullerene as a probe molecule for single-atom oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

Abstract

Fullerenes interact positively with many metal-based catalysts via intense electron transfer. Yet, we here revealed that C₆₀ serves as a probe due to its deactivation of the active sites of single-atom O₂ reduction electrocatalysts. C₆₀ adsorption to metal atoms creates steric hindrance that restricts the access of O₂ to the active sites.