Dual-atom catalysts: Controllable synthesis and electrocatalytic applications

Over the past decade, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been intensively investigated in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. However, SACs only contain one metal center, which makes it difficult to break the scaling relationship in many catalytic processes. In recent years, it has been proposed to construct “dual-atom catalysts”, which can overcome the limitations of SACs by introducing a second metal site. While DACs are attracting ever-increasing interest, there are still many challenges remaining. A comprehensive overview of the current landscape will deepen our understanding of DACs and help to develop more efficient catalysts in the future.

Very Recently, Dr. Zhiqiang Niu and colleagues from Tsinghua University have reviewed the progress of the synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic performance of DACs. The authors summarize the current synthetic strategies and compare their viability. They point out that current characterization techniques do not provide unambiguous evidence for dual-metal sites.

In addition to the commonly used advanced electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, other tools such as infrared could be very useful. The excellence of DACs for catalysis is further illustrated in electrocatalytic processes including HER, HOR, OER, and ORR. Emphasis has been put on the different electronic structures and reaction pathways between SACs and DACs. The authors also suggest that DACs may bridge the gap between heterogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis, worth exploring in the future.

See the article: Zhang S, Wu Y, Zhang YX, Niu Z. Dual-atom catalysts: controllable synthesis and electrocatalytic applications. Sci China Chem, 2021, 64, DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1106-9.

http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s11426-021-1106-9