Issue 19, 2022

Strategies for boosting the activity of single-atom catalysts for future energy applications

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) containing “single-site” centers have become a distinct category in catalytic science. With positive achievements for various applications, SACs blur the line between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, maximize metal efficiency, and provide ultrahigh activity. However, challenges remain to achieve the scalable production of SACs with atomically dispersed high-density and uniform sites, electronic structures, and fast reaction dynamics. This review summarizes the cutting-edge achievements of SACs for future energy applications. Specifically, we focus on recent efforts to boost the catalytic activity of SACs. Several key directions in creating local active surfaces, synthesis methodology, reaction mechanisms, and surface science from the viewpoint of coordination chemistry are introduced. Finally, we outlook on achieving star SACs up to the level of “precise catalysis” in the future.

Graphical abstract: Strategies for boosting the activity of single-atom catalysts for future energy applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
27 janv. 2022
Accepted
28 mars 2022
First published
30 mars 2022

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 10297-10325

Strategies for boosting the activity of single-atom catalysts for future energy applications

W. Che, T. Tao and J. Baek, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 10297 DOI: 10.1039/D2TA00747A

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