Abstract: A method for the preparation of isolated noble metal atoms in a solution comprises mixing a protective agent, a precious metal compound, and a reducing agent thoroughly. At certain temperature, isolated noble metal atoms are formed after reaction, thereby leading to isolated noble metal atoms which are stable in the solution. Isolated noble metal atoms on solid material surface can be prepared by impregnating a noble metal atom solution onto a solid medium. Alloys and catalysts etc. can be prepared by using the single atoms solution as raw material. The invention achieves, for the first time, the preparation of reduced single atoms in a solution phase. Formation of metal nanoparticles is avoided compared to the conventional synthesis of metal materials in solution phase. Compared with solid surface supported monoatomic materials, this invention allows for the preparation of materials that are characterized by high metal loading and high stability.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated noble metal atoms stabilized in a solution and a method in synthesizing such materials. A block copolymer containing siloxane groups and polyether groups is used as a protective agent to stabilize the reduced isolated noble metal atoms. An aqueous solution containing reducing agents is used as a solvent in the preparation of the material. The weight ratio of precious metal to the protective agent is arbitrary. The invention uses special protective agents to avoid the aggregation of primary isolated atoms to nanoparticles in the synthesis process. The reduced atomic material is distinguished from the known metal nanoparticles and can be used in energy materials, pharmaceutical synthesis, medical materials, catalyst preparation etc. The atomic material provides the building block for the synthesis of number-controlled metal clusters or nanomaterials with the same or different metals.