Single-atom catalysts on metal-based supports for solar photoreduction catalysis

Metal atoms atomically dispersed on an inorganic metal-based support compose a unique category of single atom catalysts (SACs) and have important applications in catalytic photoreduction reactions, including H 2 evolution reaction, CO 2 reduction reaction, and N 2 reduction reaction. In this minreview, we summarized the typical metal-support interaction (M-SI) patterns for successful anchoring of single-atom metals on metallic compound supports. Subsequently, the contribution of the dispersed single metal atoms and M-SI to photocatalytic reactions with improved activity, selectivity, and stability are highlighted, such as by accelerating charge transfer, regulating band structure of the support, acting as the reductive sites, and/or increasing catalytic selectivity. Finally, some challenges and perspectives of future development are proposed. We anticipate that this minireview will be a beneficial supplement for a comprehensive perception of metal-based material supported SACs and their application in heterogeneous photo-reductive catalysis. Anchoring patterns of single-atom metals on metallic supports were summarized. Contributions of single metal atoms and metal-support interactions to photocatalytic HER, CRR, and NRR are discussed to illustrate structure-activity relationships of SACs.