Review—Single-Atom Catalysts as Promising Candidates for Electrochemical Applications

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are new materials with admirable stability, selectivity, and performance for multiple reactions. SACs have been reported to be significantly capable of heterogeneous catalysis because of the active sites with controllable properties and the high efficiency of atom economy utilization. The electronic and geometric features of such materials depend on their coordination and composition, thereby affecting their catalytic potentials. From an economy utilization perspective, cost-effective and environmentally friendly catalysts can be met with precise scientific design and controllable construction of SACs. The present review article is focused on recent applications of SACs in electrocatalysis such as CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and electrochemical detection. We also review the related challenges and perspectives for SACs-based materials for such applications.