Single-atom Catalysis
Our single-atom catalyst research develops atom-efficient, enzyme-inspired nanomaterials that make water treatment and food protection more effective, selective, and sustainable. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) place isolated metal atoms on solid supports, where each atom serves as an accessible catalytic site. This architecture maximizes metal utilization while allowing catalyst composition, coordination environment, and support interactions to be tailored for specific reactions.
One research thrust applies SACs to wastewater treatment. We design catalysts that activate peroxides to transform persistent antibiotics and pesticides, emphasizing non-radical oxidation pathways such as singlet oxygen, catalyst-mediated electron transfer, and high-valent metal intermediates. Compared with conventional hydroxyl- and sulfate-radical processes, these pathways can be more selective, more tolerant of complex water matrices, and less demanding of peroxide. Our goal is to identify the atomic-scale features that control contaminant removal, reaction mechanisms, and operational robustness, creating heterogeneous catalysts that can be readily separated and reused after treatment.
A second thrust translates atomically dispersed catalysts into active antimicrobial food packaging. Carbon-supported SACs are engineered as oxidase-like nanozymes that use oxygen available in air to generate reactive oxygen species under ambient conditions. Rather than relying on continuous external energy or added chemical disinfectants, these films are designed to suppress spoilage organisms and foodborne pathogens on packaging surfaces and foods. This approach joins catalytic materials design with food safety, aiming to deliver durable, low-cost antimicrobial activity while minimizing unnecessary inputs.
In summary, these projects establish SACs as versatile platforms for contaminant degradation and pathogen control. By connecting catalyst structure to reaction pathways, selectivity, and real-world performance, our work advances safer wastewater reuse and more sustainable food systems.
