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1. Single-atomic platinum on fullerene C60 surfaces for accelerated alkaline hydrogen evolution

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38126-z  

   Zhang, Ruiling; Li, Yaozhou; Zhou, Xuan; Yu, Ao; Huang, Qi; Xu, Tingting; Zhu, Longtao; Peng, Ping; Song, Shuyan; Echegoyen, Luis; et al (December 2023, Nature Communications)

   Abstract The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the most studied and promising processes for hydrogen fuel generation. Single-atom catalysts have been shown to exhibit ultra-high HER catalytic activity, but the harsh preparation conditions and the low single-atom loading hinder their practical applications. Furthermore, promoting hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics, especially in alkaline electrolytes, remains as an important challenge. Herein, Pt/C₆₀catalysts with high-loading, high-dispersion single-atomic platinum anchored on C₆₀are achieved through a room-temperature synthetic strategy. Pt/C₆₀-2 exhibits high HER catalytic performance with a low overpotential (η₁₀) of 25 mV at 10 mA cm⁻². Density functional theory calculations reveal that the Pt-C₆₀polymeric structures in Pt/C₆₀-2 favors water adsorption, and the shell-like charge redistribution around the Pt-bonding region induced by the curved surfaces of two adjacent C₆₀facilitates the desorption of hydrogen, thus favoring fast reaction kinetics for hydrogen evolution. 

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2. Flexible direct synthesis of phosphorus-rich CoP ₃ on carbon black and its examination in hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D3YA00295K  

   Liyanage, Ishanka A.; Barmore, Hannah; Gillan, Edward G. (September 2023, Energy Advances)

   The reaction of CoCl₂ on carbon black with phosphorus yields crystalline CoP₃ particles on a carbon.  Low CoP₃ (5–25 mol%) content is distributed on the carbon support and shows electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity similar to bulk CoP₃. 

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3. Dual hydrogen production from electrocatalytic water reduction coupled with formaldehyde oxidation via a copper-silver electrocatalyst

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36142-7  

   Li, Guodong; Han, Guanqun; Wang, Lu; Cui, Xiaoyu; Moehring, Nicole K.; Kidambi, Piran R.; Jiang, De-en; Sun, Yujie (January 2023, Nature Communications)

   Abstract The broad employment of water electrolysis for hydrogen (H₂) production is restricted by its large voltage requirement and low energy conversion efficiency because of the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report a strategy to replace OER with a thermodynamically more favorable reaction, the partial oxidation of formaldehyde to formate under alkaline conditions, using a Cu₃Ag₇electrocatalyst. Such a strategy not only produces more valuable anodic product than O₂but also releases H₂at the anode with a small voltage input. Density functional theory studies indicate the H₂C(OH)O intermediate from formaldehyde hydration can be better stabilized on Cu₃Ag₇than on Cu or Ag, leading to a lower C-H cleavage barrier. A two-electrode electrolyzer employing an electrocatalyst of Cu₃Ag₇(+)||Ni₃N/Ni(–) can produce H₂at both anode and cathode simultaneously with an apparent 200% Faradaic efficiency, reaching a current density of 500 mA/cm²with a cell voltage of only 0.60 V. 

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4. The Effect of β‐Hydrogen Atoms on Iron Speciation in Cross‐Couplings with Simple Iron Salts and Alkyl Grignard Reagents

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201813578  

   Sears, Jeffrey D.; Muñoz, III, Salvador B.; Daifuku, Stephanie L.; Shaps, Ari A.; Carpenter, Stephanie H.; Brennessel, William W.; Neidig, Michael L. (January 2019, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract The effects of β‐hydrogen‐containing alkyl Grignard reagents in simple ferric salt cross‐couplings have been elucidated. The reaction of FeCl₃with EtMgBr in THF leads to the formation of the cluster species [Fe₈Et₁₂]²⁻, a rare example of a structurally characterized metal complex with bridging ethyl ligands. Analogous reactions in the presence of NMP, a key additive for effective cross‐coupling with simple ferric salts and β‐hydrogen‐containing alkyl nucleophiles, result in the formation of [FeEt₃]⁻. Reactivity studies demonstrate the effectiveness of [FeEt₃]⁻in rapidly and selectively forming the cross‐coupled product upon reaction with electrophiles. The identification of iron‐ate species with EtMgBr analogous to those previously observed with MeMgBr is a critical insight, indicating that analogous iron species can be operative in catalysis for these two classes of alkyl nucleophiles. 

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5. Recent Progress of Single‐atom Catalysts in the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen to Hydrogen Peroxide

   https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202060334  

   Zhu, Weiya; Chen, Shaowei (September 2020, Electroanalysis)

   Abstract Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have been attracting extensive interest in the electrocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide by oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This is due to the maximal efficiency of atom utilization and intimate interaction of the metal centers with the supporting matrix that may be exploited for deliberate manipulation of the electrocatalytic activity and selectivity, in comparison with the conventional nanoparticle counterparts. Herein, we summarize recent progress of the design and engineering of SACs towards ORR for H₂O₂generation, based on both noble and non‐noble metals. We conclude the review with a perspective highlighting the promises and challenges involved in future research. 

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