Single Atoms supported on N-doped carbon: A Novel Platform for Single Atom Catalysis

• Grant number: 24/11848-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Ivo Freitas Teixeira
• Grantee: Izadora Fonseca Reis
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/00839-5 - Single Atoms supported on N-doped carbon: A Novel Platform for Single Atom Catalysis, AP.R

Abstract

In this project, we aim to develop highly efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) based on N-doped carbon materials for various catalytic applications, with a particular focus on addressing challenges in carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) reduction reactions. SACs have shown tremendous potential due to their ability to enhance catalytic activity and selectivity with a high atomic efficiency. Our approach combines two methods: the synthesis of N-doped carbon materials in the presence of alkali salts, inspired by crystalline carbon nitrides synthesis method, followed by the coordination of various transition metals (e.g., Ni, Fe, Co, Pt, Pd, Ru or Cu) onto these N-doped carbon materials employing a cation exchange method. We will carefully characterize the obtained catalysts using various techniques, including elemental analysis, ICP-OES, XRD, TEM, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, STEM-HAADF, and EXAFS, to confirm the presence of isolated metal single atoms within the catalyst structure. The project will involve investigating the catalytic properties of these materials at first in model reactions, such as the reduction of nitro compounds and selective hydrogenation of specific organic compounds, e.g. carbon triple bonds. In the second stage, we will evaluate their performance in CO2 and N2 reduction reactions via catalytic and electrocatalytic approaches. (AU)