Single Atom Catalysts: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Energy

Single Atom Catalysts: Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Energy focuses on the synthesis, design, and advanced characterization techniques for single-atom catalyst (SAC) materials and their direct energy conversion and storage applications. This book reviews the emerging applications of SACs in fuel cells, batteries, water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and nitrogen fixation. Both noble metal and non-noble metal SACs are discussed, as noble metal-based SACs are highly efficient while non-noble metal-based SACs might have lower associated costs. There is an emphasis on materials’ design focused on improving the performance of catalysts based on overall catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. Specific parameters that impact this performance are emphasized throughout the book, including single-metal atom stabilization, metal–support interactions, and the coordination environment.

• Discusses the different intricate design and synthesis methods pertaining to various noble and non-noble metal-based SACs
• Provides in-depth understanding about the structural, morphological, and physicochemical characterization techniques of synthesized SACs with data analysis and interpretation
• Describes state-of-the-art applications of SACs in renewable energy generation and their conversion, storage, and associated challenges

Prashanth W. Menezes is Head of the Materials Chemistry Group for Thin Film Catalysis at CatLab of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie and the Inorganic Materials Group at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. His research focuses on the design, development, and structural understanding of novel unconventional catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis, especially in the area of redox oxygen catalysis, (photo)electrocatalytic water splitting, as well as electrochemical redox reactions.

Debasish Sarkar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, India. His primary research interests include design and development of novel nanostructures and nanoheterostructures of carbon and other transition metal oxides for application in electrochemical energy generation and storage applications. His research on energy storage involves the development of novel electrode materials for high-performance metal-ion batteries, aqueous supercapacitors, and high-voltage hybrid-ion capacitors.

Kamlendra Awasthi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, India. His main research area is soft materials, focusing on polymer nanofillers and nanostructured materials for sensors, catalysts and nanofabrication applications.