Introduction and Principle of Atomically Precise Electrocatalysts

Atomically precise nanoclusters (APN) are more useful for detecting the reaction mechanisms and active sites of the electrocatalysis process at the molecular or atomic level. The atomically precise metal nanoclusters are used as efficient catalysts in most electrocatalytic reactions, including hydrogen evolution reactions, electrochemical CO₂ reduction reactions, fuel cell reactions, degradation reactions of contaminants, and electrochemical synthesis of ammonia. The various factors influencing the electrocatalytic properties of metal nanoclusters include the core, charge of the metal, metal atom distribution, kinds of protection ligands, substrates, and the detailed structure of the metal nanoclusters. The design of fuel cells is challenging because of the formulation and design of effective electrocatalysts for the slow cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Amongst the differently designed electrocatalysts, presently the atomically precise electrocatalysts (APE), like single-atom, multi-atom, and dual-atom clusters, have been emphasized by researchers because of their outstanding effectiveness in atom utilization and catalytic performance. The nanoparticle of metal now captures a vital position in the catalytic activity of electrocatalysis. Therefore, APN shows the properties of metal nanoclusters passivated by ligands and is today considered an effective class of model catalyst that provides great potential in the field of catalysis research.