Review article highlights the benefits and future potential of single-atom catalysts
A comprehensive review article published in the prestigious journal ACS Catalysis offers an in-depth overview of a new generation of materials—single-atom catalysts (SACs). The article is the result of a collaborative effort by scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University Olomouc, CEITEC, VSB–Technical University of Ostrava and the University of Catania in Italy. These unique structures represent a breakthrough in electrocatalysis, a field critical to advancing clean energy technologies. The importance of the review is underscored by its feature on the journal’s front cover.
The authors trace the development of catalysts from bulk materials through nanoparticles and nanoclusters to today’s cutting-edge single-atom catalysts (SACs), which represent the pinnacle of catalyst engineering. SACs have revolutionized electrocatalytic processes by enabling the maximum utilization of atoms and the precise tuning of their properties.
“In this review, we focus on the synthesis, characterization, and theoretical modelling of SACs, providing a thorough analysis of the state-of-the-art methodologies in the field. We highlight recent breakthroughs in various electrocatalytic reactions, including hydrogen and oxygen evolution in water splitting, oxygen reduction in zinc-air batteries and fuel cells, CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR), and the green synthesis of ammonia,” said the co-author Michal Otyepka.
“SACs overcome traditional trade-offs between activity, selectivity, and stability—they lower energy barriers, shape reaction pathways and open new possibilities for green technologies. We hope this review will serve as a valuable resource for researchers working at the interface between catalysis and sustainable energy,” added Martin Pumera, another co-author.
Beyond summarizing the current state of SAC-based electrocatalysis, the review outlines future research directions aimed at addressing tomorrow’s energy challenges. It serves as a vital resource for further advancing the field. However, the authors note that despite recent progress, fully unlocking the potential of SACs requires a deeper understanding of their behaviour under real operating conditions. Achieving this will depend on integrating spectroscopic and microscopic techniques capable of capturing catalyst dynamics during reactions. Computational modelling, supported by machine learning, will also play a crucial role in accelerating the discovery of new SACs and tailoring their properties for specific applications.
Another promising avenue is the integration of SACs into hybrid systems, such as photoelectrocatalytic devices. These platforms combine the advantages of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, potentially transforming renewable energy production. While this area is still in its early stages, it holds great promise for developing novel approaches to the synthesis of green fuels and valuable chemicals.
The article, titled Single Atom Engineering for Electrocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications, also reflects findings from the TECHSCALE project funded by the Johannes Amos Comenius Operational Programme and the REFRESH project under the Just Transition Operational Programme.