Recent Advances in Single-Atom Catalysis: Preparation and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The field of “single-atom” catalysis has expanded quickly over the past years thanks to highly efficient and active catalysts demonstrated for a wide variety of chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical reactions. A lot of work has gone into shrinking the metal particles in supported metal catalysts to improve their performance in heterogeneous catalysis using supported metal nanostructures.

According to the chemical interactions between the mononuclear metal atom and supports, there are several types of single-atom catalysts (SACs), such as single metal atoms attached to metal oxides, metal surfaces, graphene, etc. In theory, SACs might also be thought of as ion-exchanged metals supported by porous substances like metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolites, as well as organometallic complexes attached to supports. SACs reach the maximum metal dispersion and atom-utilization efficiency. In comparison to nanocatalysts, SACs have demonstrated impressive increases in catalytic activity in a number of processes due to their distinct structural characteristics and fully exposed active site. Increased catalytic selectivity is achieved by the highly uniform active sites and geometric configuration of SACs, which give them comparable electronic and spatial interactions with substrate molecules as homogeneous catalysts do.

This Special Issue's major goal is to highlight current progresses in single-atom catalysts, their production, and numerous applications. The tendency of single metal atoms to aggregate makes the fabrication of SACs difficult; however, this problem may be solved with the help of cutting-edge technology. A wide range of SACs applications, including traditional molecular transformations, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, will also be covered. Original research as well as thorough review papers and viewpoints that advance the area are also welcomed.

Dr. Assunta D'Amato
Dr. Annaluisa Mariconda
Guest Editors

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