DYNA JOURNAL ENGINEERING

A breakthrough in single-atom catalysis
The new structures are based on one-dimensional organic polymers fabricated by on-surface synthesis, which incorporate periodic lateral extensions where isolated metal atoms are anchored in chemically defined positions. This architecture prevents atoms from clustering into larger aggregates and ensures that each active atom remains accessible to reactants even above room temperature, something that does not occur in conventional bulk catalysts.

The project, led by researchers from CNR-ISM (Italy), the OIST institute (Japan), Empa (Switzerland) and the University of Rome Tor Vergata, marks the first demonstration of a polymer platform designed specifically to offer tunable active sites for single metal atoms. The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications as a key step toward catalysts with near-enzymatic behavior, where every atom is used to its full potential.

Stronger affinity for industrial gases
Theoretical calculations indicate that these new supports enable significantly stronger binding of gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) than other widely studied catalyst architectures. This higher affinity helps selectively stabilize reaction intermediates, a critical aspect in processes such as converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value chemical products.

The platform is modular and can host different metals and ligands, allowing fine-tuning of catalytic activity and selectivity for each target reaction, in a way similar to how natural enzymes optimize performance around a single metal center. This flexibility makes it a promising candidate for developing cleaner fuels, more efficient synthetic routes and industrial processes with a smaller environmental footprint.