Maximizing the utility of single atom electrocatalysts on a 3D graphene nanomesh

Abstract

Single atom catalysis has recently become the most active frontier in heterogeneous catalysis, however, its performance is practically limited by the exposure of single atoms to reactants. Herein, we synthesized a vertically aligned N-doped graphene nanomesh array (VNGNMA) with a high density of in-plane surface holes and out-of-plane interconnected, vertically aligned structures to facilitate the diffusion of reactants and maximize the utility of single atoms in the liquid phase. Pd and Pt single atom catalysts supported on a 3D graphene nanomesh outperformed benchmark Pt/C and conventional single atom catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction due to rapid mass transport.