One-dimensional single atom arrays on ferroelectric nanosheets for enhanced CO photoreduction.

Single-atom catalysts show excellent catalytic performance because of their coordination environments and electronic configurations. However, controllable regulation of single-atom permutations still faces challenges. Herein, we demonstrate that a polarization electric field regulates single atom permutations and forms periodic one-dimensional Au single-atom arrays on ferroelectric BiTiO nanosheets. The Au single-atom arrays greatly lower the Gibbs free energy for CO conversion via Au-O=C=O-Au dual-site adsorption compared to that for Au-O=C=O single-site adsorption on Au isolated single atoms. Additionally, the Au single-atom arrays suppress the depolarization of BiTiO, so it maintains a stronger driving force for separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Thus, BiTiO with Au single-atom arrays exhibit an efficient CO production rate of 34.15 µmol·g·h, ∼18 times higher than that of pristine BiTiO. More importantly, the polarization electric field proves to be a general tactic for the syntheses of one-dimensional Pt, Ag, Fe, Co and Ni single-atom arrays on the BiTiO surface.