Mechanism insights on single-atom catalysts for CO2 conversion

Abstract

CO₂ accumulation causes a serious environmental concern, making it imperative and necessary to investigate CO₂ transformation techniques. CO₂ catalytic conversion is a promising strategy to convert CO₂ to industrial products such as methane, methanol, and so on. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with isolated metals on supports have emerged as attractive and efficient catalysts for CO₂ conversion owing to their maximum atomic utilization, high catalytic activities and selectivities, and easier design and regulation of structures. Despite substantial efforts on fabricating SACs for CO₂ conversion, few review articles focus on the mechanisms of SACs for CO₂ electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and thermo-catalysis. In this review paper, firstly, the synthesis methods of SACs are summarized. Then the mechanisms of SACs for CO₂ electrochemical reduction, photocatalytic reduction, and thermo-catalytic reduction are discussed. Finally, challenges and future suggestions for the design of SACs are expounded. The current review paper will provide guidance on rational design of SACs with high catalytic activity and selectivity for CO₂ conversion.