Click-locking strategy enables automated synthesis of single-atom catalysts with industrial compatibility
摘要
Developing scalable methods to synthesize single-atom catalysts (SACs) while maintaining high stability and activity remains a substantial challenge. Here, inspired by click chemistry, we propose a click-locking strategy that utilizes clicking auxiliaries to enable the synthesis of SACs. These clicking auxiliaries function as molecular ‘click-locking seat belts’, ensuring precise atomic anchoring, optimizing electronic structures and enhancing stability, while minimizing raw material loss. By integrating a robotic platform, we achieve high-throughput synthesis, generating extensive libraries of clicking-SACs and enabling rapid performance evaluation. This approach greatly accelerates the discovery of high-performance catalysts for electrocatalytic, photocatalytic and thermocatalytic processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate the kilogram-scale production of clicking-SACs, achieving exceptional catalytic activity and long-term stability. Extensive upscaling and stability tests validate the broad applicability and reliability of clicking-SACs, underscoring their potential as a transformative strategy in industrial catalysis.