A facile complexing agent-assistant single atom Ag-N3S1 site photodeposition strategy

Establishment of heteroatoms-participantly coordinating single atom (SA) configuration is placed high expectation for exceptional catalytic property. Meanwhile, simple technologies to construct SA site with low cost had also been pursued in long-term. Herein, we introduced a facile complexing agent-assistant photodeposition strategy for SA Ag-N 3 S 1 asymmetric site catalyst. The modification on substrate by heteroatom doping and the coexisting amine ligands’ complexation with silver cation are concurrently responsible for the construction of SA site. Attributed to modulation in electronic structure states, this Ag-N 3 S 1 site-decorated carbon nitride exhibited extremely strengthened photocatalytic hydrogen production ability. This exploration provides a promising universal strategy for the establishment in SA catalysts of high-efficiency in broader field. A facile photodeposition strategy for establishing asymmetric single atom (SA) site catalyst is developed, with assistant of complexing agent and regulation on substrate by doping. The as-prepared asymmetric SA site with heteroatom-participation coordination exhibits boosting in photocatalytic ability. Both construction strategy and structure-function relationship in this asymmetric SA site provide a promising outlook for SA catalysts with high-efficiency in broader field. • An asymmetric Ag single-atom site was established by a facile photodeposition strategy for the first time. • Amine ligands’ complexation with Ag + to lower reduction potential is response for single-atom site fabrication. • Modification on substrate by doping accounts for both single-atom site construction and enhanced photocatalytic performance. • This novel single-atom site structure exhibited a boosting in photocatalytic hydrogen production ability than nanoparticles. • This exploration provides a promising universal strategy for establishing SA catalysts of high-efficiency in broader field.