Single-atom catalysis wins first prize of State Natural Science Award

Behind the achievement lies a decades-long journey from hypothesis to validation. In the 1980s, when the concept first appeared as a speculative idea in Zhang's doctoral dissertation, the tools needed to prove it simply did not exist.

"In the beginning, we had the idea but no means to see it," Zhang said. "It felt as if an elephant stood right in front of you, yet in the pitch-black darkness, without a flashlight, and with the path choked by weeds, it remained invisible."

The technical limitations of the time compounded the challenge. The domestically produced chromatograph used by the team was rudimentary and plagued by severe signal fluctuations, while power outages were common.

"Often, just as you were about to collect the final data, the power would flicker, erasing an entire day's work," Zhang recalled. He often spent days in the laboratory, sleeping on a simple straw mat on the floor while waiting for the data to stabilize.

Zhang attributed his persistence in part to his early experiences in the mountains. Born in 1963 in Ankang in the Qinba Mountains of southeastern Shaanxi province, he returned to his hometown to teach at a high school after graduation. Driven by a deep fascination with scientific research, he later decided to pursue graduate studies.

"I taught during the day and studied for my master's exams by lamplight at night, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat and felt boots to ward off the winter cold," he said, adding that the period of self-discipline instilled in him the independence and perseverance that later helped him endure repeated research setbacks.

"Set a clear goal and keep going. That's how you do unique work," Zhang often tells his students.

Zhang emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration throughout the research. He led the synthesis of the catalysts and performance testing, bridging the gap between theory and practical application, while Li Jun, a theoretical chemist, developed the theoretical framework explaining the stability and reactivity of single atoms.

"With advances in artificial intelligence and computer simulation, we are now leveraging our fundamental understanding of active sites to rationally design and screen catalysts. This integration is poised to serve as a critical bridge, driving forward global new energy development and the green chemical industry," Zhang said.