Insights on the dual role of two-dimensional materials as catalysts and supports for energy and environmental catalysis

Abstract

With the imminent energy crisis and environmental pollution, the development of catalysis is imperative, which involves the storage and conversion of energy, the elimination of sewage and emissions, etc. Two-dimensional (2D) materials trigger new opportunities in the field of catalysis due to their large surface/volume ratio. In this review, for the first time, the application of 2D materials in the field of catalysis is systematically divided into two parts: 2D materials as catalysts and 2D materials as the substrates for atomic catalysts. Firstly, the different roles of 2D materials in the field of catalysis are analyzed through several typical small molecule catalytic reactions. Secondly, the synthesis methods of 2D materials, as the basis for developing new 2D materials and functionalization of 2D materials, are summarized for addressing the different roles of 2D materials in the field of catalysis. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of 2D materials for catalysis are been pointed out, together with the prospects for the development of 2D materials in the field of catalysis.