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.