Journal of Energy Chemistry ›› 2023, Vol. 76 ›› Issue (1): 601-616.DOI: 10.1016/j.jechem.2022.09.047

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Recent advances in regulating the performance of acid oxygen reduction reaction on carbon-supported non-precious metal single atom catalysts

Yanqiu Wanga, Jiayu Haoa, Yang Liua, Min Liub, Kuang Shenga, Yue Wanga, Jun Yanga, Jie Lia,*, Wenzhang Lia,*   

  1. aSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, China;
    bSchool of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan, China
  • Received:2022-05-01 Revised:2022-09-27 Accepted:2022-09-28 Published:2023-01-10
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: lijieliu@csu.edu.cn (J. Li), liwenzhang@csu.edu.cn (W. Li).
  • About author:Yanqiu Wang is a Ph.D. student under the guidance of Prof. Jie Li at Central South University. Her current research interests focus on design and construction of single atom catalysts for acid oxygen reduction reaction and fuel cell.
    Jiayu Hao is a Ph.D. student under the guidance of Prof. Jie Li at Central South University. Her research focuses on synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and metal-air batteries.
    Yang Liu received his Ph.D. degree from Central South University, both in physical chemistry of metallurgy. He joined the faculty of Central South University in 2019, where he is currently lecturer in physical chemistry of metallurgy. His current research interests include photo-electrochemistry and electrochemistry for water splitting and CO2 reduction.
    Min Liu currently is professor of School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, China. He received his Ph.D. degree from Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010. After that, he joined the University of Tokyo, Japan as a research fellow from 2010 to 2013. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher, University of Toronto, Canada from 2015 to 2017. His research interests include high-performance catalytic material preparation and device development, theoretical calculations to study reaction mechanisms and guide the development of new materials, in situ electrochemical characterization.
    Kuang Sheng is a Ph.D student under the guidance of Prof. Jie Li at Central South University. She obtained her master’s degree from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Hunan University of Science and Technology. Her research interests focus on multifunctional electrocatalysts and their intrinsic activity modulation for zinc-air batteries and water splitting. Yue Wang is currently a Master student under the guidance of Prof. Jie Li at Central South University. Her research interest focuses on the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries.
    Jun Yang is currently a Master student under the guidance of associate Prof. Wenzhang Li at Central South University. Her research interest focuses on Li- CO2 battery.
    Jie Li currently is professor of School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Hunan, China. She obtained her Ph. D. degree from Central South University in 2001. She worked as a visiting scholar at University of Oxford from 2003 to 2004. She is a member of the academic committee of metallurgy physical chemistry of China nonferrous metal society. Her research interests include research methods on metallurgical physical chemistry and design and preparation techniques on new energy materials.
    Wenzhang Li received his B.S. degree and Ph.D. degree from Central South University, both in physical chemistry of metallurgy. He joined the faculty of Central South University in January of 2012, where he is currently an associate professor in physical chemistry of metallurgy. His current research focuses on the design of inorganic nanomaterials, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical devices.

Abstract: Developing high performance and low-cost catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in challenging acid condition is vital for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Carbon-supported non-precious metal single atom catalysts (SACs) have been identified as potential catalysts in the field. Great advance has been obtained in constructing diverse active sites of SACs for improving the performance and understanding the fundamental principles of regulating acid ORR performance. However, the ORR performance of SACs is still unsatisfactory. Importantly, microenvironment adjustment of SACs offers chance to promote the performance of acid ORR. In this review, acid ORR mechanism, attenuation mechanism and performance improvement strategies of SACs are presented. The strategies for promoting ORR activity of SACs include the adjustment of center metal and its microenvironment. The relationship of ORR performance and structure is discussed with the help of advanced experimental investigations and theoretical calculations, which will offer helpful direction for designing advanced SACs for ORR.

Key words: Oxygen reduction reaction, Single atom catalysts, Microenvironment of center metal, Regulation of center metal atoms, Electron structure, Proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells