On-surface synthesis of tailored organic platforms for single metal atoms

Amogh Kinikar, Xiushang Xu, Takatsugu Onishi, Andres Ortega-Guerrero, Roland Widmer, Nicola Zema, Conor Hogan, Luca Camilli, Luca Persichetti, Carlo A. Pignedoli, Roman Fasel, Akimitsu Narita () and Marco Di Giovannantonio ()
Additional contact information
Amogh Kinikar: nanotech@surfaces Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Xiushang Xu: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Organic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit
Takatsugu Onishi: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Organic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit
Andres Ortega-Guerrero: nanotech@surfaces Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Roland Widmer: nanotech@surfaces Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Nicola Zema: CNR – Istituto di Struttura della Materia (CNR-ISM)
Conor Hogan: CNR – Istituto di Struttura della Materia (CNR-ISM)
Luca Camilli: Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Dipartimento di Fisica
Luca Persichetti: Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Dipartimento di Fisica
Carlo A. Pignedoli: nanotech@surfaces Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Roman Fasel: nanotech@surfaces Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Akimitsu Narita: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Organic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit
Marco Di Giovannantonio: CNR – Istituto di Struttura della Materia (CNR-ISM)

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Recent advances in nanomaterials have pushed the boundaries of nanoscale fabrication to the limit of single atoms, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis. Single atom catalysts, comprising minute amounts of transition metals dispersed on inert substrates, have emerged as prominent materials in this domain. However, overcoming the tendency of these single atoms to cluster beyond cryogenic temperatures and precisely arranging them on surfaces with desired local environments pose significant challenges. Employing organic templates for orchestrating and modulating the activity of single atoms holds promise. Here, we introduce an on-surface synthesis of a single atom platform wherein atoms are firmly anchored to specific coordination sites distributed along carbon-based polymers. These platforms exhibit atomic-level structural precision and stability, even at elevated temperatures, offering arrays of undercoordinated metal centers as model active sites for single-atom catalysis. We theoretically reveal the pronounced ability of these architectures to coordinate several gas molecules and experimentally visualize their interaction with CO and CO2. Fine-tuning the structure and properties of the coordination sites offers unparalleled flexibility in tailoring functionalities, thus opening avenues for previously untapped potential in catalytic applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66171-3

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