Unveiling the cutting-edge innovations in single atom catalysts: Preparation, mechanism, performance, and applications

As pioneering materials, single atom catalysts (SACs) have demonstrated exceptional potential across a plethora of domains ranging from biomedicine to energy conversion, environmental preservation, and marine energy. The comprehensive review delves into the latest research advancements in the practical applications of SACs, meticulously dissecting their underlying principles, distinctive features, and versatile applications. Tailoring their operational paradigms to suit diverse application contexts, we elaborate on the operational mechanisms of SACs, accentuating their unparalleled catalytic efficacy and structural resilience. The review systematically delineates the design strategies for various SAC variations, encompassing prevalent materials alongside tactics to fortify their adaptability to environmental conditions and ensure enduring operational stability. Delving further, we scrutinized the potential domains, where SACs demonstrate breakthrough potential in biomedical targeted therapy, efficient energy electrocatalysis, and the deep degradation of pollutants by maximizing atomic utilization and controlling the coordination microenvironment. Conclusively, we deliberate on the challenges confronting SACs with regards to their catalytic prowess, proposing future trajectories and methodologies to amplify their ubiquitous deployment and further refine their efficacy in real-world applications.