In a review published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Research Prof. LIU Dong's team from Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China discussed both the challenges and opportunities of single-atom-based catalysts (SACs) for photoelectrocatalysis (PEC).

Photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) has recently emerged as a promising strategy for utilizing solar energy due to its unique features in combining the merits of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis in solar energy harvesting, charge kinetics and catalytic reactions. However, it still encounters bottlenecks of scarce reaction sites and low product selectivity, restricting its development toward practical application. Over the past decade, single-atom-based catalysts (SACs) with atomically dispersed metal sites have demonstrated immense potential in many catalytic reactions. In comparison with their nanoparticle (NP) or bulk counterparts, the SACs normally own enormous surface active sites and trigger unique surface reactions, which, if rationally designed, can open up wide possibilities for PEC.

Figure 1. Schematic illustration of SACs based PEC system

(Image by LIU Dong et al.)

In this review, researchers aim to summarize the challenges and opportunities of the SACs in PEC. They first outline the advantages of SACs in enhancing adsorption of reactants, charge transfer, catalytic selectivity, and catalytic activity. Then they discuss the rational design of single-atom active sites in the photoelectrochemical system. In the end, challenges and prospects regarding the fundamental research and development of single-atom catalysts in PEC are proposed.

The review indicates a trend for the researchers in related fields and advances both theoretical study and application development of the PEC.

Paper Link: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA08252C