Exploiting non-precious metal catalysts with excellent oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)performance for energy devices is paramount essential for the green and sustainable society development.Herein,low-cost,high-perform...Exploiting non-precious metal catalysts with excellent oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)performance for energy devices is paramount essential for the green and sustainable society development.Herein,low-cost,high-performance biomass-derived ORR catalysts with an asymmetric Fe-N_(3)P configuration was prepared by a simple pyrolysis-etching technique,where carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)was used as the carbon source,urea and 1,10-phenanthroline iron complex(FePhen)as additives,and Na_(3)PO_(4)as the phosphorus dopant and a pore-forming agent.The CMC-derived FeNPC catalyst displayed a large specific area(BET:1235 m^(2)g^(-1))with atomically dispersed Fe-N_(3)P active sites,which exhibited superior ORR activity and stability in alkaline solution(E_(1/2)=0.90 V vs.RHE)and Zn-air batteries(P_(max)=149 mW cm^(-2))to commercial Pt/C catalyst(E_(1/2)=0.87 V,P_(max)=118 mW cm^(-2))under similar experimental conditions.This work provides a feasible and costeffective route toward highly efficient ORR catalysts and their application to Zn-air batteries for energy conversion.展开更多
Photocatalysis is widely regarded as a highly promising sustainable technique for addressing the challenges posed by environmental pollution and energy provision.In recent years,metal-loaded MOFs has become a rising s...Photocatalysis is widely regarded as a highly promising sustainable technique for addressing the challenges posed by environmental pollution and energy provision.In recent years,metal-loaded MOFs has become a rising star within the domain of photocatalysis due to its high specific surface area and porosity,adjustable structure,diverse and abundant catalytic components,which has exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and exhibit great potential in a range of disciplines.In this paper,the principles for evaluating the photocatalytic performance of MOFs-based materials were firstly introduced,and some typical examples were also listed accordingly.Along with this,particular emphasis is paid to the main factors affecting the photocatalytic performance of metal-loaded MOFs.Then the synthesis and design strategies of MOFs loaded metal entities of varying sizes(single atoms,nanoclusters,and nanoparticles),and their applications in photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction,hydrogen production,photooxidation and photocatalytic hydrogenation were summarized and discussed.Finally,the opportunities and challenges faced in this kind of MOFs-based composites were analyzed from different perspectives.This report is expected to help researchers design and develop high-performance MOFs-based photocatalytic materials.展开更多
The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)are effective approaches to mod-ify electronic configuration of semiconductors,whereas recognizing the synergistic effects of metal SAs and NPs are stil...The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)are effective approaches to mod-ify electronic configuration of semiconductors,whereas recognizing the synergistic effects of metal SAs and NPs are still challenging in photocatalytic water purification.Herein,a general strategy is achieved by subsequentially anchoring Fe SAs and Fe NPs in graphitic carbon nitride.The modification of Fe SAs and Fe NPs improves the energy band structure and constructs a gradient charge polarization,directly expanding the optical absorption range and facilitating the efficient separation and transfer of charge car-riers.With the assistance of the gradient charge polarization,pollutants are readily oxidated by h+,which strengthens the continuous reduction of O2 on Fe NPs for pollutant oxidation in water.This work rein-forces the synergistic effect of SAs and NPs on electronic configuration modulation at the atomic level,which exhibits great potential for the construction of an efficient and sustainable water purification sys-tem.展开更多
The photocatalytic oxidation of methane to methanol using molecule oxygen directly is an attractive catalytic reaction,but designing catalysts to avoid over-oxidation remains a significant challenge.Herein,Cu single-a...The photocatalytic oxidation of methane to methanol using molecule oxygen directly is an attractive catalytic reaction,but designing catalysts to avoid over-oxidation remains a significant challenge.Herein,Cu single-atom anchored on the defective carbon nitride structure(Cu SA/Def-CN)is designed for selective photocatalytic oxidation of methane into methanol using O_(2) under mild conditions.The Cu SA/Def-CN catalyst exhibits a high methanol selectivity of 92.8%under optimized conditions.Mechanistic studies reveal a synergistic effect between Def-CN and Cu SA,where Def-CN is responsible for the in-situ generation of hydrogen peroxide,which is subsequently decomposed by the Cu SA sites to produce·OH radicals that play a key role in the rate-determining step of methane activation to form methanol.Additionally,the presence of Cu SA not only enhances the electron-hole separation efficiency and improves the transfer of the photo-generated charges,but also increases the number of active sites for methane adsorption and activation.These insights provide valuable guidance for designing efficient catalysts for the highly selective photocatalytic oxidation of methane to methanol.展开更多
The selective addition reaction of unsaturated C-C bonds has always been a classic and constant research topic.Different from well-developed hydroboration,hydrosilylation,and hydrostannylation reaction,hydrogermylatio...The selective addition reaction of unsaturated C-C bonds has always been a classic and constant research topic.Different from well-developed hydroboration,hydrosilylation,and hydrostannylation reaction,hydrogermylation reaction remains challenging which hasn't been much reported.Herein,we developed a new metal-porous ligand polymers Pd1@POL-PPh_(n)Cy_(m)(n+m=3)with monoatomic dispersion characteristics for highly selective and efficient hydrogermylation of unsaturated C-C bonds,including alkynes,alkenes,and allenes.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations further proved the introduction of cyclohexyl could gently adjust the charge on monoatomic Pd center which effectively facilitate the recognition and transformation of various substrates.With the electrically fine-tuned single atom palladium catalysts,we realized theα-germanium addition for the first time,obtaining corresponding allyl germanium and alkyl germanium compounds.展开更多
The synergy of single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)has demonstrated great potential in promoting the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR);however,the rationalization of the SAs/NPs proportio...The synergy of single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)has demonstrated great potential in promoting the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR);however,the rationalization of the SAs/NPs proportion remains one challenge for the catalyst design.Herein,a Ni2+-loaded porous poly(ionic liquids)(PIL)precursor synthesized through the free radical self-polymerization of the ionic liquid monomer,1-allyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride,was pyrolyzed to prepare the Ni,N co-doped carbon materials,in which the proportion of Ni SAs and NPs could be facilely modulated by controlling the annealing temperature.The catalyst Ni-NC-1000 with a moderate proportion of Ni SAs and NPs exhibited high efficiency in the electrocatalytic conversion of CO_(2)into CO.Operando Ni K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure(XANES)spectra and theoretical calculations were conducted to gain insight into the synergy of Ni SAs and NPs.The charge transfer from Ni NPs to the surrounding carbon layer and then to the Ni SAs resulted in the electron-enriched Ni SAs active sites.In the electroreduction of CO_(2),the coexistence of Ni SAs and NPs strengthened the CO_(2)activation and the affinity towards the key intermediate of*COOH,lowering the free energy for the potential-determining*CO_(2)→*COOH step,and therefore promoted the catalysis efficiency.展开更多
The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)into semiconductors can effectively optimize their electronic configuration and enhance their photocatalytic properties.Therefore,it is crucial to clarify the corresponding p...The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)into semiconductors can effectively optimize their electronic configuration and enhance their photocatalytic properties.Therefore,it is crucial to clarify the corresponding principles and photocatalytic mechanisms for efficient and sustainable photocatalytic water remediation systems.Herein,a promising Fe single-atom photocatalyst(Fe_(SA)-CN)is obtained by anchoring Fe SAs in graphitic carbon nitride using a simple calcination strategy.Characterization and experimental results indicate that the modification of Fe SAs not only introduces a doping energy level,but also changes the valence band position,which expands the light absorption range,enhances the reduction ability of photogenerated electrons,and improves the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.Subsequently,contaminants adsorbed on the FeSA-CN surface trigger their oxidation removal by h^(+),and the H_(2)O_(2)generated via two-electron direct reductions is converted in situ into OH by self-Fenton reaction for the synergistic contaminant degradation.In summary,FeSA-CN offers a promising pathway for single-atom photocatalysts in water remediation because of outstanding contamination removal efficiency,adaptability,and stability.展开更多
Photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))from H_(2)O and O_(2)is considered to be a promising approach.However,limited to the rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers and sluggish kinetics of O_(2)re-duct...Photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))from H_(2)O and O_(2)is considered to be a promising approach.However,limited to the rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers and sluggish kinetics of O_(2)re-duction to H_(2)O_(2),it is a challenge for polymeric photocatalysts to achieve efficient photocatalytic H_(2)O_(2) production.Herein,Ag single atoms and nitrogen defects decorated carbon nitride(Ag@MCT)are con-structed through self-assembly and pyrolysis methods.The optimized photocatalyst displays exceptional performance in pure water,with an H_(2)O_(2) production rate of as high as 528.4μmol g^(-1) h^(-1) and an apparent quantum yield for H_(2)O_(2)production of 4.5%at 420 nm.Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the Ag atomic sites act as electron mediators that promote the capture and transfer of photo-generated charge carriers,while nitrogen defects as electron collectors and reaction sites to enhance the adsorption and activation of O_(2),accelerating reduction kinetics from O_(2) to H_(2)O_(2).This work presents a re-liable strategy to design excellent photocatalysts by rationally modulating electronic structures and active sites for accelerating photo-generated charge carriers transfer and surface reaction kinetics.展开更多
The advancement of efficient,cheap,and durable catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)to substitute Pt/C in metal-air batteries is of paramount importance.However,traditional solvent-based methods fall short in t...The advancement of efficient,cheap,and durable catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)to substitute Pt/C in metal-air batteries is of paramount importance.However,traditional solvent-based methods fall short in terms of environmental benign and scalability.Herein,a solvent-free organic-inorganic selfassembly approach is explored to construct cobalt single atom and cobalt nanocluster decorated nitrogendoped porous carbon spheres(Co-SA/NC@NCS).The solvent-free synthesis demonstrates an impressively high yield(282 g/L)and the resultant Co-SA/NC@NCS possesses a high N content(6.9 wt%).Density functional theory calculations disclose that the Co-SAs and Co-NCs are able to optimize the surface oxygen adsorption capability and enhance the conductivity of the NCS,thereby facilitating the ORR performance.The sol vent-free synthesis is also feasible for the synthesis of other non-noble metal element(Fe,Ni,and Zn)decorated nitrogen-doped porous carbon spheres.展开更多
Platinum-based(Pt)catalysts are notoriously susceptible to deactivation in industrial chemical processes due to carbon monoxide(CO)poisoning.Overcoming this poisoning deactivation of Pt-based catalysts while enhancing...Platinum-based(Pt)catalysts are notoriously susceptible to deactivation in industrial chemical processes due to carbon monoxide(CO)poisoning.Overcoming this poisoning deactivation of Pt-based catalysts while enhancing their catalytic activity,selectivity,and durability remains a major challenge.Herein,we propose a strategy to enhance the CO tolerance of Pt clusters(Pt_n)by introducing neighboring functionalized vip single atoms(such as Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Sb,and Bi).Among them,antimony(Sb)single atoms(SAs)exhibit significant performance enhancement,achieving 99%CO selectivity and 33.6%CO_(2)conversion at 450℃,Experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculations indicate the optimization arises from the electronic interaction between neighboring functionalized Sb SAs and Pt clusters,leading to optimal 5d electron redistribution in Pt clusters compared to other functionalized vip single atoms.The redistribution of 5d electrons weaken both theσdonation andπbackdonation interactions,resulting in a weakened bond strength with CO and enhancing catalyst activity and selectivity.In situ environmental transmission electron microscopy(ETEM)further demonstrates the exception thermal stability of the catalyst,even under H_(2)at 700℃.Notably,the functionalized Sb SAs also improve CO tolerance in various heterogenous catalysts,including Co/CeO_(2),Ni/CeO_(2),Pt/Al_(2)O_(3),and Pt/CeO_(2)-C.This finding provides an effective approach to overcome the primary challenge of CO poisoning in Pt-based catalysts,making their broader applications in various industrial catalysts.展开更多
Concurrent activation of lattice oxygen(O_L)and molecular oxygen(O_(2))is crucial for the efficient catalytic oxidation of biomass-derived molecules over metal oxides.Herein,we report that the introduction of ultralow...Concurrent activation of lattice oxygen(O_L)and molecular oxygen(O_(2))is crucial for the efficient catalytic oxidation of biomass-derived molecules over metal oxides.Herein,we report that the introduction of ultralow-loading of Ru single atoms(0.42 wt%)into Mn_(2)O_(3)matrix(0.4%Ru-Mn_(2)O_(3))greatly boosts its catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF)to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid(FDCA).The FDCA productivity over the 0.4%Ru-Mn_(2)O_(3)(5.4 mmol_(FDCA)g_(cat)h^(-1))is 4.9 times higher than the Mn_(2)O_(3).Especially,this FDCAproductivity is also significantly higher than that of existing Ru and Mn-based catalysts.Experimental and theoretical investigations discovered that the Ru single atom facilitated the formation of oxygen vacancy(O_(v))in the catalyst,which synergistically weakened the Mn-O bond and promoted the activation of O_L.The co-presence of Ru single atoms and O_(v)also promote the adsorption and activation of both O_(2)and HMF.Consequently,the dehydrogenation reaction energy barrier of the rate-determining step was reduced via both the O_L and chemisorbed O_(2)dehydrogenation pathways,thus boosting the catalytic oxidation reactions.展开更多
The employment of single atom catalysts(SACs)remarkably increases atomic utilization and catalytic efficiency in various electrochemical processes,especially when coupled with metal clusters/nanoparticles.However,the ...The employment of single atom catalysts(SACs)remarkably increases atomic utilization and catalytic efficiency in various electrochemical processes,especially when coupled with metal clusters/nanoparticles.However,the synergistic effects mainly focus on the energetics of key intermediates during the electrocatalysis,while the properties of electrode surface and electric-double-layer(EDL)structure are largely overlooked.Herein,we report the synthesis of Ru nanoparticles integrated with neighboring Ru single atoms on nitrogen doped carbon(Ru1,n/NC)as efficient catalysts toward hydrogen oxidation reaction(HOR)under alkaline electrolytes.Electrochemical data,in situ attenuated total reflectance surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy,and density functional theory calculations reveal that the positively charged Ru single atoms could lead to the dynamically regulated proportion of strongly hydrogen-bonded interfacial water structure with O-down conformation and optimized connectivity of the hydrogen-bond network in the EDL region,which contribute to the accelerated diffusion of hydroxide ions to the electrified interfaces.Consequently,the obtained Ru1,n/NC catalyst displays remarkable HOR performance with the mass activity of 1.15 mAμgPGM^(-1) under alkaline electrolyte.This work demonstrates the promise of single atoms for interfacial water environment adjustment and mass transfer process modulation,providing new insights into rational design of highly-effective SAC-based electrocatalysts.展开更多
Synergistic interplays involving multiple active centers originating from TiO2 nanotube layers(TNT)and ruthenium(Ru)species comprising of both single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)augment the alkaline hydrogen evolu...Synergistic interplays involving multiple active centers originating from TiO2 nanotube layers(TNT)and ruthenium(Ru)species comprising of both single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)augment the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)by enhancing Volmer kinetics from rapid water dissociation and improving Tafel kinetics from efficient H*desorption.Atomic layer deposition of Ru with 50 process cycles results in a mixture of Ru SAs and 2.8-0.4 nm NPs present on TNT layers,and it emerges with the highest HER activity among all the electrodes synthesized.A detailed study of the Ti and Ru species using different high-resolution techniques confirmed the presence of Ti^(3+)states and the coexistence of Ru SAs and NPs.With insights from literature,the role of Ti^(3+),appropriate work functions of TNT layers and Ru,and the synergistic effect of Ru SAs and Ru NPs in improving the performance of alkaline HER were elaborated and justified.The aforementioned characteristics led to a remarkable performance by having 9mV onset potentials and 33 mV dec^(-1) of Tafel slopes and a higher turnover frequency of 1.72 H2 s^(-1) at 30 mV.Besides,a notable stability from 28 h staircase chronopotentiometric measurements for TNT@Ru surpasses TNT@Pt in comparison.展开更多
Solar-driven water splitting has emerged as a promising route for sustainable hydrogen generation,however,developing broad-spectrum responsive photocatalysts remains a challenge for achieving efficient solar-to-hydrog...Solar-driven water splitting has emerged as a promising route for sustainable hydrogen generation,however,developing broad-spectrum responsive photocatalysts remains a challenge for achieving efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion.Here,we demonstrate a g-C_(3)N_(4)-based(UCN)catalyst with dispersed Ag single atoms(Ag SAs)and Ag nanoparticles(Ag NPs)for synergistically broad-spectrum photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.Experimental and theoretical results reveal that both Ag SAs and Ag NPs serve as active sites,with the Schottky junction between Ag NPs and g-C_(3)N_(4)effectively promoting charge separation,while Ag NPs induce localized surface plasmon resonance,extending the light response range from visible to near-infrared regions.The optimized catalyst Ag-UCN-3 exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate as high as 22.11 mmol/g/h and an apparent quantum efficiency(AQE)of 10.16%under 420 nm light illumination.Notably,it still had a high hydrogen evolution rate of 633.57μmol/g/h under 700 nm irradiation.This work unveils dual active sites engineering strategy that couples Ag SAs and Ag NPs with plasma and hot electrons,offering a new strategy for designing high-performance solar-driven energy systems.展开更多
Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)exhausted from industrial processes are the major atmospheric pollutants,which could destroy the ecological environment and make hazards to human health seriously.Catalytic oxidation is...Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)exhausted from industrial processes are the major atmospheric pollutants,which could destroy the ecological environment and make hazards to human health seriously.Catalytic oxidation is regarded as the most competitive strategy for the efficient elimination of low-concentration VOCs.Supported noble metal catalysts are preferred catalysts due to their excellent low-temperature catalytic activity.To further lower the cost of catalysts,single atom catalysts(SAC)have been fabricated and extensively studied for application in VOCs oxidation due to their 100%atom-utilization efficiency and unique catalytic performance.In this review,we comprehensively summarize the recent advances in supported noble metal(e.g.,Pt,Pd,Au,and Ag)catalysts and SAC for VOCs oxidation since 2015.Firstly,this paper focuses on some important influencing factors that affect the activity of supported noble metal catalysts,including particle size,valence state and dispersion of noble metals,properties of the support,metal oxide/ion modification,preparation method,and pretreatment conditions of catalysts.Secondly,we briefly summarize the catalytic performance of SAC for typical VOCs.Finally,we conclude the key influencing factors and provide the prospects and challenges of VOCs oxidation.展开更多
Plastics are ubiquitous in human life and pose certain hazards to the environment and human body.The increasing amount of CO_(2)in the atmosphere will lead to the greenhouse effect.Therefore,it is urgent to treat micr...Plastics are ubiquitous in human life and pose certain hazards to the environment and human body.The increasing amount of CO_(2)in the atmosphere will lead to the greenhouse effect.Therefore,it is urgent to treat microplastic waste and CO_(2)by using environmentally friendly and efficient technologies.In this work,we developed an efficient photoelectrocatalytic system composed of Ni single atoms(Ni SAs)supported by P,N-doped amorphous NiFe_(2)O_(4)(Ni SAs/A-P-N-NFO)as anode and Ag nanoparticles(Ag NPs)supported by CuO/Cu_(2)O nanocubes(Ag NPs@CuO/Cu_(2)O NCs)as cathode for microplastic oxidation and CO_(2)reduction.The Ni SAs/A-P-N-NFO was synthesized by calcination-H_(2)reduction method,and it achieved a Faraday efficiency of 93%for the oxidation reaction of poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET)solution under AM 1.5 G light.As a photocathode,the synthesized Ag NPs@CuO/Cu_(2)O NCs was utilized to reduce CO_(2)to ethylene and CO at 1.5 V vs.RHE with selectivity of 42%and 55%,respectively.This work shows that the photoelectrocatalysis,as an environmentally friendly technology,is a feasible strategy for reducing the environmental and biological hazards of light plastics,as well as for efficient CO_(2)reduction.展开更多
Low‐temperature CO oxidation is important for both fundamental studies and practical applica‐tions. Supported gold catalysts are generally regarded as the most active catalysts for low‐temperature CO oxidation. The...Low‐temperature CO oxidation is important for both fundamental studies and practical applica‐tions. Supported gold catalysts are generally regarded as the most active catalysts for low‐temperature CO oxidation. The active sites are traditionally believed to be Au nanoclusters or nanoparticles in the size range of 0.5–5 nm. Only in the last few years have single‐atom Au catalysts been proved to be active for CO oxidation. Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical studies on single‐atom Au catalysts unambiguously demonstrated that when dispersed on suitable oxide supports the Au single atoms can be extremely active for CO oxidation. In this mini‐review, recent advances in the development of Au single‐atom catalysts are discussed, with the aim of illus‐trating their unique catalytic features during CO oxidation.展开更多
Based on our work on single cesium atoms trapped in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is remarkably improved. Also a far-off-resonance optical dipole...Based on our work on single cesium atoms trapped in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is remarkably improved. Also a far-off-resonance optical dipole trap (FORT) formed by a strongly-focused 1064 nm single frequency Nd:YVO4 laser beam is introduced. One cesium atom is prepared in the MOT, and then it can transfer successfully between the MOT and the FORT which is overlapped with the MOT. Utilizing the effective transfer, the lifetime of single atoms trapped in the FORT is measured to be 6.9± 0.3 s. Thus we provide a system where the atomic qubit can be coherently manipulated.展开更多
Pt/CeO2 catalysts with unitary Pt species,nanoparticles,clusters or single atoms,often exhibit excellent activity and unique selectivity in many catalytic reactions benefiting from their small size,abundant unsaturate...Pt/CeO2 catalysts with unitary Pt species,nanoparticles,clusters or single atoms,often exhibit excellent activity and unique selectivity in many catalytic reactions benefiting from their small size,abundant unsaturated active sites,and unique electro nic structure.In recent years,a tre mendous number of related articles have provided great inspiration to future research and development of Pt/CeO2 catalysts.In this review,the state-of-the-art evolution of Pt nanoparticles to Pt single atoms on CeO2 is reviewed with the emphasis on synthetic strategies,advanced characterization techniques(allowing one to clarify the single atoms from clusters),the catalytic applications and mechanisms from the viewpoint of theoretical calculation.Finally,the critical outlooks and the challenges faced in developing the single-atom Pt/CeO2 catalysts are highlighted.展开更多
By recording the fluorescence fraction of the cold atoms remaining in the magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a function of the release time, the release-and-recapture (R&R) method is utilized to evaluate the effective...By recording the fluorescence fraction of the cold atoms remaining in the magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a function of the release time, the release-and-recapture (R&R) method is utilized to evaluate the effective temperature of the cold atomic ensemble. We prepare a single atom in a large-magnetic-gradient MOT and then transfer the trapped single atom into a 1064-nm microscopic optical tweezer. The energy of the single atom trapped in the tweezer is further reduced by polarization gradient cooling (PGC) and the effective temperature is evaluated by extending the R-R technique to a single atom tweezer. The typical effective temperature of a single atom in the tweezer is improved from about 105 μK to about 17 μK by applying the optimum PGC phase.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21571062)the Program for Professor of Special Appointment(Eastern Scholar)at the Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning to JGL,and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.222201717003)。
文摘Exploiting non-precious metal catalysts with excellent oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)performance for energy devices is paramount essential for the green and sustainable society development.Herein,low-cost,high-performance biomass-derived ORR catalysts with an asymmetric Fe-N_(3)P configuration was prepared by a simple pyrolysis-etching technique,where carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)was used as the carbon source,urea and 1,10-phenanthroline iron complex(FePhen)as additives,and Na_(3)PO_(4)as the phosphorus dopant and a pore-forming agent.The CMC-derived FeNPC catalyst displayed a large specific area(BET:1235 m^(2)g^(-1))with atomically dispersed Fe-N_(3)P active sites,which exhibited superior ORR activity and stability in alkaline solution(E_(1/2)=0.90 V vs.RHE)and Zn-air batteries(P_(max)=149 mW cm^(-2))to commercial Pt/C catalyst(E_(1/2)=0.87 V,P_(max)=118 mW cm^(-2))under similar experimental conditions.This work provides a feasible and costeffective route toward highly efficient ORR catalysts and their application to Zn-air batteries for energy conversion.
基金supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.L233011)Guangdong Province Natural Science Foundation(No.2022A1515011918)USTB Research Center for International People-to-People Exchange in Science.Technology and Civilization(No.2023KFYB003)。
文摘Photocatalysis is widely regarded as a highly promising sustainable technique for addressing the challenges posed by environmental pollution and energy provision.In recent years,metal-loaded MOFs has become a rising star within the domain of photocatalysis due to its high specific surface area and porosity,adjustable structure,diverse and abundant catalytic components,which has exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and exhibit great potential in a range of disciplines.In this paper,the principles for evaluating the photocatalytic performance of MOFs-based materials were firstly introduced,and some typical examples were also listed accordingly.Along with this,particular emphasis is paid to the main factors affecting the photocatalytic performance of metal-loaded MOFs.Then the synthesis and design strategies of MOFs loaded metal entities of varying sizes(single atoms,nanoclusters,and nanoparticles),and their applications in photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction,hydrogen production,photooxidation and photocatalytic hydrogenation were summarized and discussed.Finally,the opportunities and challenges faced in this kind of MOFs-based composites were analyzed from different perspectives.This report is expected to help researchers design and develop high-performance MOFs-based photocatalytic materials.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52100032 and 52350005)the Basic and Applied Basic Research Project of Guangzhou(Nos.2024A04J3679, 2024A03J0088)+2 种基金the Introduced Innovative Research and Development Team Project under the“The Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program”of Guangdong Province(No.2019ZT08L387)the Special Basic Research Fund for Central Public Research Institutes of China(No.PMzx703-202204-152)the Research Fund Program of Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology(No.2023B1212060016).
文摘The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)are effective approaches to mod-ify electronic configuration of semiconductors,whereas recognizing the synergistic effects of metal SAs and NPs are still challenging in photocatalytic water purification.Herein,a general strategy is achieved by subsequentially anchoring Fe SAs and Fe NPs in graphitic carbon nitride.The modification of Fe SAs and Fe NPs improves the energy band structure and constructs a gradient charge polarization,directly expanding the optical absorption range and facilitating the efficient separation and transfer of charge car-riers.With the assistance of the gradient charge polarization,pollutants are readily oxidated by h+,which strengthens the continuous reduction of O2 on Fe NPs for pollutant oxidation in water.This work rein-forces the synergistic effect of SAs and NPs on electronic configuration modulation at the atomic level,which exhibits great potential for the construction of an efficient and sustainable water purification sys-tem.
文摘The photocatalytic oxidation of methane to methanol using molecule oxygen directly is an attractive catalytic reaction,but designing catalysts to avoid over-oxidation remains a significant challenge.Herein,Cu single-atom anchored on the defective carbon nitride structure(Cu SA/Def-CN)is designed for selective photocatalytic oxidation of methane into methanol using O_(2) under mild conditions.The Cu SA/Def-CN catalyst exhibits a high methanol selectivity of 92.8%under optimized conditions.Mechanistic studies reveal a synergistic effect between Def-CN and Cu SA,where Def-CN is responsible for the in-situ generation of hydrogen peroxide,which is subsequently decomposed by the Cu SA sites to produce·OH radicals that play a key role in the rate-determining step of methane activation to form methanol.Additionally,the presence of Cu SA not only enhances the electron-hole separation efficiency and improves the transfer of the photo-generated charges,but also increases the number of active sites for methane adsorption and activation.These insights provide valuable guidance for designing efficient catalysts for the highly selective photocatalytic oxidation of methane to methanol.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22201049,22471046)the Ba-Gui Youth Top-notch Talents Project of Guangxithe National HighLevel Personnel of Special Support Program for Young Top-notch Talents(9th batch)。
文摘The selective addition reaction of unsaturated C-C bonds has always been a classic and constant research topic.Different from well-developed hydroboration,hydrosilylation,and hydrostannylation reaction,hydrogermylation reaction remains challenging which hasn't been much reported.Herein,we developed a new metal-porous ligand polymers Pd1@POL-PPh_(n)Cy_(m)(n+m=3)with monoatomic dispersion characteristics for highly selective and efficient hydrogermylation of unsaturated C-C bonds,including alkynes,alkenes,and allenes.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations further proved the introduction of cyclohexyl could gently adjust the charge on monoatomic Pd center which effectively facilitate the recognition and transformation of various substrates.With the electrically fine-tuned single atom palladium catalysts,we realized theα-germanium addition for the first time,obtaining corresponding allyl germanium and alkyl germanium compounds.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants 22072065,22178162,and 22222806)Distinguished Youth Foundation of Jiangsu Province(grant BK20220053)Six talent peaks project in Jiangsu Province(grant JNHB-035)。
文摘The synergy of single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)has demonstrated great potential in promoting the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR);however,the rationalization of the SAs/NPs proportion remains one challenge for the catalyst design.Herein,a Ni2+-loaded porous poly(ionic liquids)(PIL)precursor synthesized through the free radical self-polymerization of the ionic liquid monomer,1-allyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride,was pyrolyzed to prepare the Ni,N co-doped carbon materials,in which the proportion of Ni SAs and NPs could be facilely modulated by controlling the annealing temperature.The catalyst Ni-NC-1000 with a moderate proportion of Ni SAs and NPs exhibited high efficiency in the electrocatalytic conversion of CO_(2)into CO.Operando Ni K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure(XANES)spectra and theoretical calculations were conducted to gain insight into the synergy of Ni SAs and NPs.The charge transfer from Ni NPs to the surrounding carbon layer and then to the Ni SAs resulted in the electron-enriched Ni SAs active sites.In the electroreduction of CO_(2),the coexistence of Ni SAs and NPs strengthened the CO_(2)activation and the affinity towards the key intermediate of*COOH,lowering the free energy for the potential-determining*CO_(2)→*COOH step,and therefore promoted the catalysis efficiency.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52100032 and 52350005)the Basic and Applied Basic Research Project of Guangzhou(Nos.2024A04J3679 and 2024A03J0088)+2 种基金the Introduced Innovative Research and Development Team Project under the“The Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program”of Guangdong Province(No.2019ZT08L387)the Opening Project of Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Chemical Process Intensification,North University of China(No.2023-HOCE10)the National College Students’Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(No.202211078135)
文摘The introduction of metal single atoms(SAs)into semiconductors can effectively optimize their electronic configuration and enhance their photocatalytic properties.Therefore,it is crucial to clarify the corresponding principles and photocatalytic mechanisms for efficient and sustainable photocatalytic water remediation systems.Herein,a promising Fe single-atom photocatalyst(Fe_(SA)-CN)is obtained by anchoring Fe SAs in graphitic carbon nitride using a simple calcination strategy.Characterization and experimental results indicate that the modification of Fe SAs not only introduces a doping energy level,but also changes the valence band position,which expands the light absorption range,enhances the reduction ability of photogenerated electrons,and improves the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.Subsequently,contaminants adsorbed on the FeSA-CN surface trigger their oxidation removal by h^(+),and the H_(2)O_(2)generated via two-electron direct reductions is converted in situ into OH by self-Fenton reaction for the synergistic contaminant degradation.In summary,FeSA-CN offers a promising pathway for single-atom photocatalysts in water remediation because of outstanding contamination removal efficiency,adaptability,and stability.
基金supported by the Basic Science Center Program for Ordered Energy Conversion of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52488201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52276213)+1 种基金the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province(No.2024GX-YBXM-459)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘Photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))from H_(2)O and O_(2)is considered to be a promising approach.However,limited to the rapid recombination of photo-generated carriers and sluggish kinetics of O_(2)re-duction to H_(2)O_(2),it is a challenge for polymeric photocatalysts to achieve efficient photocatalytic H_(2)O_(2) production.Herein,Ag single atoms and nitrogen defects decorated carbon nitride(Ag@MCT)are con-structed through self-assembly and pyrolysis methods.The optimized photocatalyst displays exceptional performance in pure water,with an H_(2)O_(2) production rate of as high as 528.4μmol g^(-1) h^(-1) and an apparent quantum yield for H_(2)O_(2)production of 4.5%at 420 nm.Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the Ag atomic sites act as electron mediators that promote the capture and transfer of photo-generated charge carriers,while nitrogen defects as electron collectors and reaction sites to enhance the adsorption and activation of O_(2),accelerating reduction kinetics from O_(2) to H_(2)O_(2).This work presents a re-liable strategy to design excellent photocatalysts by rationally modulating electronic structures and active sites for accelerating photo-generated charge carriers transfer and surface reaction kinetics.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52072283)the program of China Scholarship Council(No.202306950008)。
文摘The advancement of efficient,cheap,and durable catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)to substitute Pt/C in metal-air batteries is of paramount importance.However,traditional solvent-based methods fall short in terms of environmental benign and scalability.Herein,a solvent-free organic-inorganic selfassembly approach is explored to construct cobalt single atom and cobalt nanocluster decorated nitrogendoped porous carbon spheres(Co-SA/NC@NCS).The solvent-free synthesis demonstrates an impressively high yield(282 g/L)and the resultant Co-SA/NC@NCS possesses a high N content(6.9 wt%).Density functional theory calculations disclose that the Co-SAs and Co-NCs are able to optimize the surface oxygen adsorption capability and enhance the conductivity of the NCS,thereby facilitating the ORR performance.The sol vent-free synthesis is also feasible for the synthesis of other non-noble metal element(Fe,Ni,and Zn)decorated nitrogen-doped porous carbon spheres.
基金financially supported by the Shanghai RisingStar Program(No.23QA1403700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Grant No.U2230102)+1 种基金the sponsored by National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFB3502200)the Shanghai Technical Service Center of Science and Engineering Computing,Shanghai University.
文摘Platinum-based(Pt)catalysts are notoriously susceptible to deactivation in industrial chemical processes due to carbon monoxide(CO)poisoning.Overcoming this poisoning deactivation of Pt-based catalysts while enhancing their catalytic activity,selectivity,and durability remains a major challenge.Herein,we propose a strategy to enhance the CO tolerance of Pt clusters(Pt_n)by introducing neighboring functionalized vip single atoms(such as Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Sb,and Bi).Among them,antimony(Sb)single atoms(SAs)exhibit significant performance enhancement,achieving 99%CO selectivity and 33.6%CO_(2)conversion at 450℃,Experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculations indicate the optimization arises from the electronic interaction between neighboring functionalized Sb SAs and Pt clusters,leading to optimal 5d electron redistribution in Pt clusters compared to other functionalized vip single atoms.The redistribution of 5d electrons weaken both theσdonation andπbackdonation interactions,resulting in a weakened bond strength with CO and enhancing catalyst activity and selectivity.In situ environmental transmission electron microscopy(ETEM)further demonstrates the exception thermal stability of the catalyst,even under H_(2)at 700℃.Notably,the functionalized Sb SAs also improve CO tolerance in various heterogenous catalysts,including Co/CeO_(2),Ni/CeO_(2),Pt/Al_(2)O_(3),and Pt/CeO_(2)-C.This finding provides an effective approach to overcome the primary challenge of CO poisoning in Pt-based catalysts,making their broader applications in various industrial catalysts.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(22208137 and 22068022)Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(202101BE070001-033,202401AT070825,202201BE070001007 and 202301AV070005)。
文摘Concurrent activation of lattice oxygen(O_L)and molecular oxygen(O_(2))is crucial for the efficient catalytic oxidation of biomass-derived molecules over metal oxides.Herein,we report that the introduction of ultralow-loading of Ru single atoms(0.42 wt%)into Mn_(2)O_(3)matrix(0.4%Ru-Mn_(2)O_(3))greatly boosts its catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF)to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid(FDCA).The FDCA productivity over the 0.4%Ru-Mn_(2)O_(3)(5.4 mmol_(FDCA)g_(cat)h^(-1))is 4.9 times higher than the Mn_(2)O_(3).Especially,this FDCAproductivity is also significantly higher than that of existing Ru and Mn-based catalysts.Experimental and theoretical investigations discovered that the Ru single atom facilitated the formation of oxygen vacancy(O_(v))in the catalyst,which synergistically weakened the Mn-O bond and promoted the activation of O_L.The co-presence of Ru single atoms and O_(v)also promote the adsorption and activation of both O_(2)and HMF.Consequently,the dehydrogenation reaction energy barrier of the rate-determining step was reduced via both the O_L and chemisorbed O_(2)dehydrogenation pathways,thus boosting the catalytic oxidation reactions.
文摘The employment of single atom catalysts(SACs)remarkably increases atomic utilization and catalytic efficiency in various electrochemical processes,especially when coupled with metal clusters/nanoparticles.However,the synergistic effects mainly focus on the energetics of key intermediates during the electrocatalysis,while the properties of electrode surface and electric-double-layer(EDL)structure are largely overlooked.Herein,we report the synthesis of Ru nanoparticles integrated with neighboring Ru single atoms on nitrogen doped carbon(Ru1,n/NC)as efficient catalysts toward hydrogen oxidation reaction(HOR)under alkaline electrolytes.Electrochemical data,in situ attenuated total reflectance surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy,and density functional theory calculations reveal that the positively charged Ru single atoms could lead to the dynamically regulated proportion of strongly hydrogen-bonded interfacial water structure with O-down conformation and optimized connectivity of the hydrogen-bond network in the EDL region,which contribute to the accelerated diffusion of hydroxide ions to the electrified interfaces.Consequently,the obtained Ru1,n/NC catalyst displays remarkable HOR performance with the mass activity of 1.15 mAμgPGM^(-1) under alkaline electrolyte.This work demonstrates the promise of single atoms for interfacial water environment adjustment and mass transfer process modulation,providing new insights into rational design of highly-effective SAC-based electrocatalysts.
基金support from the European Union Horizon 2020 program(project HERMES,nr.952184)the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic for supporting CEMNAT(LM2023037)+1 种基金Czech-NanoLab(LM2023051)infrastructures for providing ALD,SEM,EDX,XPS,TEM,and XRDCzech Science Foundation(project 23-08019X,EXPRO).
文摘Synergistic interplays involving multiple active centers originating from TiO2 nanotube layers(TNT)and ruthenium(Ru)species comprising of both single atoms(SAs)and nanoparticles(NPs)augment the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)by enhancing Volmer kinetics from rapid water dissociation and improving Tafel kinetics from efficient H*desorption.Atomic layer deposition of Ru with 50 process cycles results in a mixture of Ru SAs and 2.8-0.4 nm NPs present on TNT layers,and it emerges with the highest HER activity among all the electrodes synthesized.A detailed study of the Ti and Ru species using different high-resolution techniques confirmed the presence of Ti^(3+)states and the coexistence of Ru SAs and NPs.With insights from literature,the role of Ti^(3+),appropriate work functions of TNT layers and Ru,and the synergistic effect of Ru SAs and Ru NPs in improving the performance of alkaline HER were elaborated and justified.The aforementioned characteristics led to a remarkable performance by having 9mV onset potentials and 33 mV dec^(-1) of Tafel slopes and a higher turnover frequency of 1.72 H2 s^(-1) at 30 mV.Besides,a notable stability from 28 h staircase chronopotentiometric measurements for TNT@Ru surpasses TNT@Pt in comparison.
文摘Solar-driven water splitting has emerged as a promising route for sustainable hydrogen generation,however,developing broad-spectrum responsive photocatalysts remains a challenge for achieving efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion.Here,we demonstrate a g-C_(3)N_(4)-based(UCN)catalyst with dispersed Ag single atoms(Ag SAs)and Ag nanoparticles(Ag NPs)for synergistically broad-spectrum photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.Experimental and theoretical results reveal that both Ag SAs and Ag NPs serve as active sites,with the Schottky junction between Ag NPs and g-C_(3)N_(4)effectively promoting charge separation,while Ag NPs induce localized surface plasmon resonance,extending the light response range from visible to near-infrared regions.The optimized catalyst Ag-UCN-3 exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate as high as 22.11 mmol/g/h and an apparent quantum efficiency(AQE)of 10.16%under 420 nm light illumination.Notably,it still had a high hydrogen evolution rate of 633.57μmol/g/h under 700 nm irradiation.This work unveils dual active sites engineering strategy that couples Ag SAs and Ag NPs with plasma and hot electrons,offering a new strategy for designing high-performance solar-driven energy systems.
基金supported by Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.8244060)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023M730143)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22425601)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFB3810801)Beijing Nova Program(No.20240484659)the R&D Program of Beijing Municipal Education Commission(No.KZ202210005011).
文摘Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)exhausted from industrial processes are the major atmospheric pollutants,which could destroy the ecological environment and make hazards to human health seriously.Catalytic oxidation is regarded as the most competitive strategy for the efficient elimination of low-concentration VOCs.Supported noble metal catalysts are preferred catalysts due to their excellent low-temperature catalytic activity.To further lower the cost of catalysts,single atom catalysts(SAC)have been fabricated and extensively studied for application in VOCs oxidation due to their 100%atom-utilization efficiency and unique catalytic performance.In this review,we comprehensively summarize the recent advances in supported noble metal(e.g.,Pt,Pd,Au,and Ag)catalysts and SAC for VOCs oxidation since 2015.Firstly,this paper focuses on some important influencing factors that affect the activity of supported noble metal catalysts,including particle size,valence state and dispersion of noble metals,properties of the support,metal oxide/ion modification,preparation method,and pretreatment conditions of catalysts.Secondly,we briefly summarize the catalytic performance of SAC for typical VOCs.Finally,we conclude the key influencing factors and provide the prospects and challenges of VOCs oxidation.
文摘Plastics are ubiquitous in human life and pose certain hazards to the environment and human body.The increasing amount of CO_(2)in the atmosphere will lead to the greenhouse effect.Therefore,it is urgent to treat microplastic waste and CO_(2)by using environmentally friendly and efficient technologies.In this work,we developed an efficient photoelectrocatalytic system composed of Ni single atoms(Ni SAs)supported by P,N-doped amorphous NiFe_(2)O_(4)(Ni SAs/A-P-N-NFO)as anode and Ag nanoparticles(Ag NPs)supported by CuO/Cu_(2)O nanocubes(Ag NPs@CuO/Cu_(2)O NCs)as cathode for microplastic oxidation and CO_(2)reduction.The Ni SAs/A-P-N-NFO was synthesized by calcination-H_(2)reduction method,and it achieved a Faraday efficiency of 93%for the oxidation reaction of poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET)solution under AM 1.5 G light.As a photocathode,the synthesized Ag NPs@CuO/Cu_(2)O NCs was utilized to reduce CO_(2)to ethylene and CO at 1.5 V vs.RHE with selectivity of 42%and 55%,respectively.This work shows that the photoelectrocatalysis,as an environmentally friendly technology,is a feasible strategy for reducing the environmental and biological hazards of light plastics,as well as for efficient CO_(2)reduction.
文摘Low‐temperature CO oxidation is important for both fundamental studies and practical applica‐tions. Supported gold catalysts are generally regarded as the most active catalysts for low‐temperature CO oxidation. The active sites are traditionally believed to be Au nanoclusters or nanoparticles in the size range of 0.5–5 nm. Only in the last few years have single‐atom Au catalysts been proved to be active for CO oxidation. Recent advances in both experimental and theoretical studies on single‐atom Au catalysts unambiguously demonstrated that when dispersed on suitable oxide supports the Au single atoms can be extremely active for CO oxidation. In this mini‐review, recent advances in the development of Au single‐atom catalysts are discussed, with the aim of illus‐trating their unique catalytic features during CO oxidation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 60578018 and 10434080)the project for excellent research team from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 60821004)+4 种基金the Program for New Century Excellent Talents of the Education Ministry of China (Grant No NCET-07-0524)the State Basic Key Research Program of China (Grant No 2006CB921102)the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(Grant No 20070108003)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,China (Grant No 2007011003)the Scientific Research Funds for Returned Scholars Abroad of Shanxi Province,China
文摘Based on our work on single cesium atoms trapped in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is remarkably improved. Also a far-off-resonance optical dipole trap (FORT) formed by a strongly-focused 1064 nm single frequency Nd:YVO4 laser beam is introduced. One cesium atom is prepared in the MOT, and then it can transfer successfully between the MOT and the FORT which is overlapped with the MOT. Utilizing the effective transfer, the lifetime of single atoms trapped in the FORT is measured to be 6.9± 0.3 s. Thus we provide a system where the atomic qubit can be coherently manipulated.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21906063,21876061,21805112)Key Technology R&D Program of Shandong Province(2019GSF109042)。
文摘Pt/CeO2 catalysts with unitary Pt species,nanoparticles,clusters or single atoms,often exhibit excellent activity and unique selectivity in many catalytic reactions benefiting from their small size,abundant unsaturated active sites,and unique electro nic structure.In recent years,a tre mendous number of related articles have provided great inspiration to future research and development of Pt/CeO2 catalysts.In this review,the state-of-the-art evolution of Pt nanoparticles to Pt single atoms on CeO2 is reviewed with the emphasis on synthetic strategies,advanced characterization techniques(allowing one to clarify the single atoms from clusters),the catalytic applications and mechanisms from the viewpoint of theoretical calculation.Finally,the critical outlooks and the challenges faced in developing the single-atom Pt/CeO2 catalysts are highlighted.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.60978017,61078051 and 10974125)the Science Fund for Creative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.60821004)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No.NCET-07-0524)
文摘By recording the fluorescence fraction of the cold atoms remaining in the magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a function of the release time, the release-and-recapture (R&R) method is utilized to evaluate the effective temperature of the cold atomic ensemble. We prepare a single atom in a large-magnetic-gradient MOT and then transfer the trapped single atom into a 1064-nm microscopic optical tweezer. The energy of the single atom trapped in the tweezer is further reduced by polarization gradient cooling (PGC) and the effective temperature is evaluated by extending the R-R technique to a single atom tweezer. The typical effective temperature of a single atom in the tweezer is improved from about 105 μK to about 17 μK by applying the optimum PGC phase.