Folic acid self-assembly synthesis of ultrathin N-doped carbon nanosheets with single-atom metal catalysts

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.01.024
• Publication Date: 2021-01-27T07:00:00Z
• Authors: Xuewan Wang; Jinmeng Sun; Tingting Li; Zhongxin Song; Dan Wu; Bin Zhao; Kun Xiang; Wei Ai; Xian-Zhu Fu; Jing-Li Luo
• Keywords: Nanosheet

Abstract The development of single-atom catalysts anchored on two-dimensional (2D) conductive matrix with well exposed active sites has great significance in electrocatalytic energy storage yet remains challenging. Inspired by the power of biomolecular self-assembly in making delicate nanostructures, we report a novel template-free folic acid (FA) self-assembly strategy to achieve the facile preparation of ultrathin N-doped carbon nanosheet confining single-metal-atom catalysts (M-N-C SAC, M = Co, Ni, Zn, Fe). The 2D association of FA is developed for the first time via the ribbon-like H bonding pattern and metal-FA coordination in a mixed solvent. A tunable metal loading content of the catalysts is facilely realized through a pH-tuned FA partial dissociation chemistry. As a proof of demonstration, Co-N-C SAC shows an excellent performance for lean electrolyte lithium-sulfur battery. Our findinging suggest a new and potentially scalable route for facile fabrication of M-N-C SACs for broad energy storage applications.