Recent Progresses in Two-Dimensional Carbon-Metal Composites for Catalysis Applications

Catalysis stands as a cornerstone for the global economy and human society, with metals and metal oxides assuming significant roles in catalytic research. The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) carbon materials, such as graphene (GR), graphyne (GY), and graphdiyne (GDY), boasting unique structural and tunable electronic properties, opens up new avenues for the exploration of heterogeneous catalysts. In this review, we initially analyze the limitations inherent in metal- and metal oxide-based catalysts. Subsequently, we present an overview of the latest advancements in heterogeneous catalysts pertaining to 2D carbon-metal composites. We categorize these composites into two groups: support-induced catalysts with disordered lattices and metal-carbon crystals. The realm of 2D support-induced catalysts predominantly encompasses GR-, GY-, and GDY-supported single-atom catalysts (SACs), dual-atom catalysts (DACs), and single-cluster catalysts (SCCs). Meanwhile, the domain of 2D metal-carbon crystals primarily includes metal organic frameworks (MOFs), transition metal carbides (MXenes), and graphite metal carbides (g-MCs). This review encapsulates a comprehensive understanding of the structure, stability, and catalytic application of all these 2D carbon-metal composites from a theoretical standpoint, placing particular emphasis on the coordination structure –performance relationship. To conclude, a brief summary and outlook are provided, offering insights for the future study of 2D carbon-metal composites.