LIU Xijun^a，b CHEN Mingying^a，MA Junjie^a，LIANG Jingqi^a，LI Chunsheng^a，CHEN Congjin^a，HE Huibing^a

a. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering， b. School of Resources， Environment and Materials，Guangxi University， Nanning，530001，China

Abstract

Significance To address global challenges such as environmental pollution and energy crisis， there is an urgent need for a new and highly efficient energy-saving catalyst that can effectively respond to energy and environmental challenges as well as improve economic efficiency. In recent years， single-atom catalysts （SACs） have attracted significant attention due to their ultra-high electrocatalytic efficiency. Carbon-based SACs， in particular， are considered promising new electrocatalytic materials due to their tunable structures， ordered pore arrangements， high atom utilization， good electrical conductivity， high porosity， large specific surface area， and excellent stability. These features make them particularly suitable for addressing the pressing energy and environmental issues in China.

Progress In recent years， various synthesis techniques for carbon-based SACs have been extensively explored， including thermal decomposition， wet chemistry， electrochemical reduction， in situ synthesis and ball milling. Among these， the thermal decomposition method is noted for its simplicity in operation and high yield； the wet chemical method is prized for its high product purity， controllable structure and high catalyst activity； electrochemical deposition method offers simplicity in operation， suitable for large-scale production and has high catalyst activity； in-situ synthesis allows for controllable structure and morphology； and the ball milling method has a fast reaction speed， low energy consumption， and uniform product dispersion. In short， each method has its own merits and can be selected based on specific reaction conditions and requirements. In addition， the advancements in the application of carbon-based SACs in various electrochemical reactions， including oxygen reduction reaction （ORR）， oxygen evolution reaction （OER）， hydrogen evolution reaction （HER）， nitrogen reduction reaction （NRR）， and carbon dioxide reduction reaction （CO₂RR）， are summarized. Taking ORR as an example， studies have shown that carbon-based SACs can effectively improve the activity and selectivity of ORR， while also greatly improving its industrial prospects due to their ultra-high atom utilization rate and excellent electrical conductivity. These catalysts also exhibit robust performance in HER， OER， NRR， and CO₂RR. Furthermore， carbon-based SACs have many superior properties， including high specific surface area， controllable active sites， and good electron transport properties. These advantages give them an edge over many challenges faced by conventional catalysts and lay a solid foundation for their wide application in electrocatalysis.

Conclusions and Prospects Carbon-based SACs will play a pivotal role in the future of energy and environmental protection. Ongoing research aims to further optimize and improve the synthesis process and performance characteristics of these materials for broader application in production. With their unique properties， carbon-based SACs are ideal candidates for a variety of applications requiring high performance and sustainability. As the field evolves， these catalysts are expected not only to revolutionize the field of energy catalysis， but also to significantly contribute to environmental protection efforts. Their ability to store and convert energy efficiently， while also being recyclable and environmentally friendly， makes them key players in the green revolution. Carbon-based SACs， as a new type of highly efficient electrocatalysts with high activity， high selectivity and high stability， have a promising future in the field of catalysis. They are particularly significant for mitigating the greenhouse effect， addressing the energy crisis， and promoting sustainable development through optimal atomic and resource utilization. In the future， carbon-based SACs are expected to find broader application in the following aspects.

  Optimization of synthesis methods：With the continuous development in synthesis technologies， the synthesis methods of carbon-based SACs will be simpler， more efficient and controllable. Novel synthesis strategies may further improve the activity and stability of the catalysts， broadening their applications in various reactions. Diversified electrocatalytic applications： In addition to the well-researched oxygen reduction， hydrogen precipitation， and carbon dioxide reduction reactions， carbon-based SACs are also expected to impact other important electrocatalytic reactions， such as nitrogen reduction and organic electrocatalysis. Future research will explore more possible application scenarios.

Design and realization of multifunctional catalytic performance： Future research will focus on the design of carbon-based SACs with multifunctional performance， such as efficient catalysis of both oxygen reduction and hydrogen precipitation reactions. Such multifunctional catalysts can improve the efficiency of energy conversion and advance sustainable energy technologies.

  Composite applications with other materials： Future research will explore the composite applications of carbon-based SACs with other functional materials， such as metal-organic frameworks and carbon nanotubes. Such composites aim to leverage the strengths of each material to improve catalytic performance and stability. Overall， carbon-based SACs， as a promising new type of catalyst， have great potential for synthesis and electrocatalytic applications. Future research will continue to focus on optimizing synthesis methods， expanding application areas， designing catalysts with multifunctional properties， and exploring composite applications with other materials， to promote the application of carbon-based SACs in the fields of environmental protection and energy transition.

Keywords：carbon-based； single atom catalysts synthesize； electrochemical application

Get Citation:LIU X J， CHEN M Y， MA J J， et al. Advances in the synthesis strategies of carbon⁃based single⁃atom catalysts and their electrochemical applications［J］. China Powder Science and Technology，2024，30（5）：35−45

Received:2024-05-15.Revised:2024-06-05,Online:2024-07-04.

Funding Project:国家自然科学基金项目，编号 ：22075211；广西自然科学基金杰出青年项目，编号：2024GXNSFFA010008。

First Author:刘熙俊（1991—），男，教授，博士，广西省杰青，博士生导师，研究方向为电化学。E-mail：xjliu@gxu. edu. cn。

Corresponding Author:马俊杰（1998—），男，博士，研究方向为电化学。E-mail：majunjie34134@163. com。

DOI：10.13732/j.issn.1008-5548.2024.05.004

CLC No:TB4                          Type Code:A

Serial No:1008-5548（2024）05-0035-11