Light alloying element-regulated noble metal catalysts for energy-related applications

Noble metals have been widely used as heterogeneous catalysts because they exhibit high activity and selectivity for many reactions of both academic and industrial interest. The introduction of light atomic species (e.g., H, B, C, and N) into noble metal lattices plays an important role in optimizing catalytic performance by modulating structural and electronic properties. In this review, we present a general overview of the recent advances in the modification of noble metals with light alloying elements for various catalytic reactions, particularly for energy-related applications. We summarize the types, location, concentration, and ordering degree of light atoms as major factors in the performance of noble metal-based catalysts, with emphasis on how they can be rationally controlled to promote activity and selectivity. We then summarize the synthetic strategies developed to incorporate light elements and highlight the theoretical and experimental methods for understanding the alloying effects. We further focus on the wide usage of noble metal-based catalysts modified with different light alloying atoms and attempt to correlate the structural features with their catalytic performances. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives regarding the development of highly efficient noble metal-based catalysts modified with light elements.