Issue 11, 2022

Synchrotron-radiation spectroscopic identification towards diverse local environments of single-atom catalysts

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) that can achieve maximum atom utilization and provide well-defined active sites in energy conversion reactions have attracted much attention in the past decade. In general, the local structures of active sites in SACs largely determine their catalytic activity and selectivity. Therefore, identifying the local environments of active sites in specific SACs is essential to understand their catalytic functions in various reactions. Recent studies have demonstrated that synchrotron-radiation spectroscopic characterization methods possess unparalleled capacity in the identification of local environments of SACs due to their wide energy regulation window and high resolution. In this review, we aim to discuss the practical applications of some ex/in situ synchrotron-radiation spectroscopic techniques in recently reported advanced SACs. The experimental analyses from various techniques, such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), photoemission spectroscopy (PES) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), are highlighted. The built structure–activity relationships towards identified active sites are also discussed. Finally, a summary of spectral imputs and related significance is made and the research perspectives are suggested.

Graphical abstract: Synchrotron-radiation spectroscopic identification towards diverse local environments of single-atom catalysts

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
25 Sept. 2021
Accepted
27 Nov. 2021
First published
29 Nov. 2021

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 5771-5791

Synchrotron-radiation spectroscopic identification towards diverse local environments of single-atom catalysts

S. Qiao, Q. He, P. Zhang, Y. Zhou, S. Chen, L. Song and S. Wei, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 5771 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA08254J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements