Affiliation:
1. School of Chemistry The University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
2. School of Chemical Engineering The University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
3. Laboratory of Advanced Catalysis for Sustainability School of Chemistry The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
4. CAS Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Applied Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Dalian 116023 China
Abstract
AbstractSingle‐atom electrocatalysts (SACs) are a class of promising materials for driving electrochemical energy conversion reactions due to their intrinsic advantages, including maximum metal utilization, well‐defined active structures, and strong interface effects. However, SACs have not reached full commercialization for broad industrial applications. This review summarizes recent research achievements in the design of SACs for crucial electrocatalytic reactions on their active sites, coordination, and substrates, as well as the synthesis methods. The key challenges facing SACs in activity, selectivity, stability, and scalability, are highlighted. Furthermore, it is pointed out the new strategies to address these challenges including increasing intrinsic activity of metal sites, enhancing the utilization of metal sites, improving the stability, optimizing the local environment, developing new fabrication techniques, leveraging insights from theoretical studies, and expanding potential applications. Finally, the views are offered on the future direction of single‐atom electrocatalysis toward commercialization.
Funder
Australian Research Council