High-curvature carbon-supported Ni single atoms with charge polarization for highly efficient CO 2 reduction.

High curvature carbon-supported isolated NiN 4 sites with ideal CO 2 reduction reaction performance were obtained through a top-down strategy. The charge polarization induced by the axial asymmetry of the carbon substrate can enhance the adsorption of COOH* and reduce the free energy barrier of the rate-determining step.