In Situ Thermal Atomization To Convert Supported Nickel Nanoparticles into Surface-Bound Nickel Single-Atom Catalysts

The arrangement of the active sites on the surface of a catalysts can reduce the problem of mass transfer and enhance the atom economy. Herein, supported Ni metal nanoparticles can be transformed to thermal stable Ni single atoms, mostly located on the surface of the support. Assisted by N-doped carbon with abundant defects, this synthetic process not only transform the nanoparticles to single atoms, but also creates numerous pores to facilitate the contact of dissolved CO₂ and single Ni sites. The proposed mechanism is that the Ni nanoparticles could break surface C−C bonds drill into the carbon matrix, leaving pores on the surface. When Ni nanoparticles are exposed to N-doped carbon, the strong coordination splits Ni atoms from Ni NPs. The Ni atoms are stabilized within the surface of carbon substrate. The continuous loss of atomic Ni species from the NPs would finally result in atomization of Ni NPs. CO₂ electroreduction testing shows that the surface enriched with Ni single atoms delivers better performance than supported Ni NPs and other similar catalysts.