Insights into the electronic structure coupling effect of dual-metal atomic electrocatalytic platform for efficient clean energy conversion

Dual-metal monoatomic catalysts (DACs) are emerging as a frontier after single-atom catalysts (SACs) to serve as a platform for electrochemical conversion of small molecules for efficient clean energy conversion. The electronic structure coupling effect of the dual-metal single atom anchored on the support makes an essential contribution to improve electrochemical performance. In this review, we firstly provide insight into the electronic structure coupling effects in DACs from the perspective of metal-metal interaction. Secondly, the profound effects of such electronic coupling interactions on the metal-support interactions, molecular dynamics characteristics and catalytic pathways are discussed in detail, as well as the strong adaptability to adsorption and activation of reactants and intermediates exhibited by neutralization of extreme monometallic electronic properties. Furthermore, recent advances in the electronic coupling effects of DACs for HER, OER, ORR, CO2RR and NRR applications and some strategies of construction for DACs and structural characterization are briefly introduced. Finally, we provide a short summary and present the main challenges and prospects of DACs.