Aniruddha Kundu, Assistant Professor, from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR), SRM University-AP, along with Srijib Das Research Scholar, CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, have published their latest research paper titled “Single Atom Catalysts: Ushering an Era for Revolutionizing the Heterogeneous Electrocatalysis” in the Q1 journal ” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (Elsevier) “, having an Impact Factor of 19.3.

What if every single atom in a catalyst could actively power clean energy reactions? Single-atom catalysts are an emerging class of materials where individual metal atoms are precisely anchored onto a carbon support. Unlike traditional catalysts, where many atoms remain unused inside metal particles, these catalysts ensure that every atom contributes to the reaction—maximising efficiency while reducing the use of expensive metals.

This breakthrough approach could significantly advance technologies such as hydrogen production from water, fuel cells, carbon dioxide conversion into useful fuels, and sustainable ammonia synthesis. By improving catalytic efficiency and reducing material waste, single-atom catalysts offer a promising pathway toward cleaner energy systems, reduced carbon emissions, and more sustainable industrial processes.

 Brief Abstract of the Research:

Heterogeneous catalysis plays a vital role in global energy conversion, and single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a transformative platform due to their atomically dispersed active sites, tunable electronic structures, and high metal utilization. Carbon-supported SACs enable precise modulation of catalytic behavior through microenvironment engineering strategies such as heteroatom doping, coordination control, and dual-metal site construction. This review summarizes recent advances in transition metal-based SACs for key electrocatalytic reactions, including hydrogen evolution (HER), oxygen evolution (OER), oxygen reduction (ORR), CO2 reduction (CO2RR), and nitrogen reduction (NRR) highlighting structure-activity relationships, current challenges, and future design principles for stable and efficient electrocatalysts.

Practical Implementation:

• The development of carbon-supported single-atom catalysts has strong potential for real-world energy technologies:
• Hydrogen production: More efficient catalysts can lower the cost of water electrolysis, making green hydrogen more affordable and scalable for fuel, industry, and energy storage.
• Fuel cells and metal–air batteries: Improved oxygen reduction and evolution reactions can enhance the performance and durability of clean energy devices used in electric vehicles and backup power systems.
• Carbon dioxide conversion: SACs may enable practical systems that convert CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals, supporting carbon recycling and circular economy strategies.
• Ammonia synthesis: More efficient nitrogen reduction could provide an alternative to energy-intensive industrial ammonia production, reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Social Implications:

• If successfully implemented, this technology could have significant societal benefits:
• Lower carbon emissions: More efficient clean-energy processes support global climate goals.
• Energy security: Local hydrogen production and CO2 utilisation can reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Economic impact: Development of advanced catalysts can stimulate innovation, new industries, and skilled jobs in clean technology sectors.
• Resource sustainability: Maximizing atomic efficiency reduces mining demand for scarce and expensive metals like platinum.

Collaborations:

The work was carried out through collaboration with a PhD scholar from: CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, India.

Future Research Plans:

1. Scalable Production for Clean Hydrogen.
2. Stability Enhancement and Anti-Aggregation Strategies.
3. High-Performance Fuel Cells and Metal–Air Batteries.