Single-Atom Catalysts: A Review of Synthesis Strategies and Their Potential for Biofuel Production

Biofuels have been derived from various feedstocks by using thermochemical or biochemical procedures. In order to synthesise liquid and gas biofuel efficiently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) and single-atom alloys (SAAs) have been used in the reaction to promote it. SACs are made up of single metal atoms that are anchored or confined to a suitable support to keep them stable, while SAAs are materials generated by bi- and multi-metallic complexes, where one of these metals is atomically distributed in such a material. The structure of SACs and SAAs influences their catalytic performance. The challenge to practically using SACs in biofuel production is to design SACs and SAAs that are stable and able to operate efficiently during reaction. Hence, the present study reviews the system and configuration of SACs and SAAs, stabilisation strategies such as mutual metal support interaction and geometric coordination, and the synthesis strategies. This paper aims to provide useful and informative knowledge about the current synthesis strategies of SACs and SAAs for future development in the field of biofuel production.

A Simple and Robust Functionalization of Graphene for Advanced Energy Devices

Efficient and selective methods for graphene functionalization are needed because they allow tuning of the graphene surface and electronic properties. To date, graphene has been functionalized using ionic bonds, π-π interactions, and covalent bonds. Graphene derivatives based on these methods have been used in various applications, but a new functionalization strategy that improves the properties of graphene is still needed. Herein, a new concept for graphene functionalization using halogenated graphene has been developed, in which brominated graphene is successfully functionalized by heteroatom-containing molecules to form onium bonds, such as pyridinium or ammonium. The counterion bromide is replaced with other anions, such as sulfate, by treating with sulfuric acid while retaining the molecules, which demonstrates the durable properties of onium bonding. To emphasize the advantages of this strategy for graphene functionalization, the performance for energy-related applications, such as biofuel cells, supercapacitors, and Li-ion batteries, is evaluated after introducing redox-active moieties onto graphene through onium bonding. This new graphene functionalization concept will provide a new approach to the design of tailor-made materials with targeted functions.