用于可持续氢气和氧气生产的电化学水分解显示出巨大的潜力。然而,这种方法需要低成本和高活性的催化剂。传统的纳米催化剂,虽然有效,具有局限性,因为它们的活性位点主要限于表面和边缘,使内部表面在氧化还原反应中不暴露。单原子催化剂(SAC),利用高原子利用率和量子尺寸效应,最近已经成为吸引人的电催化剂。SAC中活性位点和载体之间的强相互作用大大提高了催化效率和长期稳定性,表现优于他们的纳米同行。本文的第一部分研究了析氢反应(HER)和析氧反应(OER)。在下一节中,SAC被归类为贵金属,非贵金属,和双金属协同SAC。此外,这篇综述强调了有效SAC设计的开发方法,如质量负载优化,电气结构调制,以及支撑材料的关键作用。最后,正在探索碳基材料和金属氧化物作为SAC的可能载体。重要的是,第一次,这篇综述对用于电化学反应的单原子催化剂的废物衍生载体进行了讨论,为这个充满活力的研究领域提供了一个具有成本效益的维度。这里讨论的众所周知的设计技术可能有助于开发用于有效水分解的电催化剂。
Electrochemical water splitting for sustainable hydrogen and oxygen production have shown enormous potentials. However, this method needs low-cost and highly active catalysts. Traditional nano catalysts, while effective, have limits since their active sites are mostly restricted to the surface and edges, leaving interior surfaces unexposed in redox reactions. Single atom catalysts (SACs), which take advantage of high atom utilization and quantum size effects, have recently become appealing electrocatalysts. Strong interaction between active sites and support in SACs have considerably improved the catalytic efficiency and long-term stability, outperforming their nano-counterparts. This review\'s first section examines the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). In the next section, SACs are categorized as noble metal, non-noble metal, and bimetallic synergistic SACs. In addition, this review emphasizes developing methodologies for effective SAC design, such as mass loading optimization, electrical structure modulation, and the critical role of support materials. Finally, Carbon-based materials and metal oxides are being explored as possible supports for SACs. Importantly, for the first time, this review opens a discussion on waste-derived supports for single atom catalysts used in electrochemical reactions, providing a cost-effective dimension to this vibrant research field. The well-known design techniques discussed here may help in development of electrocatalysts for effective water splitting.