From destructive to constructive: transforming restrictive environmental factors into drivers of catalyst stability

Abstract

Catalysis is pivotal in modern chemical and energy industries, yet it faces a fundamental trade-off: Environmental factors such as high temperature, pressure, humidity, acidic/alkaline conditions, toxic species, and oxidative atmospheres, while enhancing reaction kinetics, often degrade catalyst structure and cause deactivation. To overcome this activity-stability dilemma, this work proposes a shift from passive protection to active regulation. By deeply analyzing the dual role of such factors, we explore strategies including constructing strong metal-support interactions, utilizing single-atom catalysts, and designing multi-level pore structures. These approaches aim to precisely tailor the catalyst’s microstructures and reaction interfaces, turning potentially detrimental conditions into drivers for sustained or even improved long-term performance. Moreover, through systematic analysis, the applicability and system dependence of various strategies are revealed, thereby distilling the core design principles that underpin successful stability enhancement across diverse catalytic systems. This paradigm enables both high reaction rates and enhanced structural stability, offering a systematic framework and innovative pathways for designing highly efficient, durable next-generation catalytic systems.