Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Submitted Successfully!
Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic. For video creation, please contact our Academic Video Service.
Version Summary Created by Modification Content Size Created at Operation
1 Jack Zhong -- 255 2026-09-21 11:33:36 |
2 format correct Catherine Yang -10 word(s) 245 2026-09-22 02:45:46 |

Video Upload Options

We provide professional Academic Video Service to translate complex research into visually appealing presentations. Would you like to try it?
Cite
If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.
Zhong, J. Single Atom Catalyst. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60192 (accessed on 07 October 2026).
Zhong J. Single Atom Catalyst. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60192. Accessed October 07, 2026.
Zhong, Jack. "Single Atom Catalyst" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60192 (accessed October 07, 2026).
Zhong, J. (2026, September 21). Single Atom Catalyst. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60192
Zhong, Jack. "Single Atom Catalyst." Encyclopedia. Web. 21 September, 2026.
Single Atom Catalyst
Edit

A single-atom catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst in which the active metal is dispersed as isolated single atoms on a support, so that the active sites are atomically uniform and the metal is used with maximum efficiency [1]. The concept was established for CO oxidation over Pt1/FeOx, where singly dispersed platinum atoms on iron oxide were reported to be active while platinum nanoparticles and clusters were not [2]. It now covers a broad family of systems based on oxides, carbon materials, and metal–organic frameworks [3]. Synthesis generally relies on anchoring individual metal atoms at defect sites, nitrogen or sulfur coordination environments, or vacancy-rich supports, with typical metal loadings of 0.1–5 wt%, and higher loadings are frequently accompanied by the formation of dimers and clusters [4]. The electronic structure of an isolated metal atom differs from that of the bulk metal, and coordination number, charge state, and metal–support interaction are the properties most often invoked to explain the altered activity and selectivity [3][5]. Beyond oxide supports, the same atomically dispersed motif has been examined on carbon materials and metal–organic frameworks, and dedicated reviews now cover single-atom systems for biological and for biofuel-related catalysis [4,5]. Because single atoms tend to migrate and aggregate under reaction conditions, and because the structure of the working site is difficult to establish during catalysis, long-term stability and the identity of the true active species remain debated [3][4].

heterogeneous catalysis atomically dispersed metal isolated active site metal–organic framework oxygen reduction reaction catalyst stability support effect

References

  1. Qiao, B.; Wang, A.; Yang, X.; Allard, L.F.; Jiang, Z.; Cui, Y.; Liu, J.; Li, J.; Zhang, T. Single-atom catalysis of CO oxidation using Pt1/FeOx. Nature Chemistry 2011, 3, 634-641. [CrossRef]
  2. Yang, X.F.; Wang, A.; Qiao, B.; Li, J.; Liu, J.; Zhang, T. Single-Atom Catalysts: A New Frontier in Heterogeneous Catalysis. Accounts of Chemical Research 2013, 46, 1740-1748. [CrossRef]
  3. Wang, A.; Li, J.; Zhang, T. Heterogeneous single-atom catalysis. Nature Reviews Chemistry 2018, 2, 65-81. [CrossRef]
  4. Jiang, S.; Zhang, C.; Zou, T. Single-Atom Catalysts for Biotherapy Applications: A Systematic Review. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 2518. [CrossRef]
  5. Asikin-Mijan, N.; Mohd Sidek, H.; AlSultan, A.G.; Azman, N.A.; Adzahar, N.A.; Ong, H.C. Single-Atom Catalysts: A Review of Synthesis Strategies and Their Potential for Biofuel Production. Catalysts 2021, 11, 1470. [CrossRef]
More
Upload a video for this entry
Information
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Jack Zhong
View Times: 17
Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 22 Sep 2026
Notice
You are not a member of the advisory board for this topic. If you want to update advisory board member profile, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub.
OK
Confirm
Only members of the Encyclopedia advisory board for this topic are allowed to note entries. Would you like to become an advisory board member of the Encyclopedia?
Yes
No
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
There is no comment~
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
${ selectedItem.replyTextCharacter }/${ selectedItem.replyMaxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
Confirm
Are you sure to Delete?
Yes No
Academic Video Service