Recent progress of metal single-atom catalysts for energy applications

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have received tremendous attention in heterogeneous catalysis because of their excellent catalytic performance and robust stability. Metal SACs have exhibited distinctive advantages in activity and selectivity and tunable interactions between the metal atoms and supports. In this review, we have summarized the preparation and performance of metal SACs that have energy-related applications including the oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, N2 reduction reaction, methane conversion, CO2 reduction reaction, CO oxidation reaction, biomass conversion, and environmental pollutant degradation. The current challenges of metal SAC reactions in industrial applications are analyzed. Finally, the development trends of SACs in energy applications are discussed.