Carbon-based material-supported single-atom catalysts for energy conversion

In recent years, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with unique electronic structure and coordination environment have attracted much attention due to its maximum atomic efficiency in the catalysis fields. However, it is still a great challenge to rationally regulate the coordination environments of SACs and improve the loading of metal atoms for SACs during catalysis progress. Generally, carbon-based materials with excellent electrical conductivity and large specific surface area are widely used as catalyst supports to stabilize metal atoms. Meanwhile, carbon-based material-supported SACs have also been extensively studied and applied in various energy conversion reactions, such as hydrogen evolution reac-tion (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Herein, rational synthesis methods and advanced characterization tech-niques were introduced and summarized in this review. Then, the theoretical design strategies and construction methods for carbon-based material-sup -ported SACs in electrocatalysis applications were fully discussed, which are of great significance for guiding the coordination regulation and improving the loading of SACs. In the end, the challenges and future perspectives of SACs were proposed, which could largely contribute to the development of single atom catalysts at the turning point.

Automated summary

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted much attention in the catalysis field due to their maximum atomic efficiency. Carbon-based material-supported SACs have been widely studied and applied in various energy conversion reactions. This review summarizes rational synthesis methods, advanced characterization techniques, design strategies, and construction methods for SACs in electrocatalysis applications.