The Key Role and Recent Advances of Single-Atom Catalysts in Sustainable Energy Conversion

With the increasing global energy demand and the growing issues of environmental pollution and climate change, the development of clean and sustainable energy conversion technologies has become particularly important. The use of traditional fossil fuels has put immense pressure on the environment and brought about challenges related to energy security and climate change. Therefore, researching alternative energy sources and green catalytic technologies has become key to solving these problems. Among various sustainable energy technologies, reactions such as hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction, and oxygen reduction play a crucial role in the conversion and storage of clean energy. However, traditional catalysts face challenges in efficiency, selectivity, and stability, which limit their commercialization process. Single-atom catalysts (SACs), as a new type of catalyst, have shown excellent catalytic performance due to their high surface area and precise control of active sites, significantly reducing catalytic costs. SACs have performed well in water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction, and oxygen reduction reactions, but their application still faces challenges such as synthesis complexity, stability issues, and a deep understanding of catalytic mechanisms. This article explores the key role of SACs in sustainable energy conversion, analyzes their application in various energy conversion reactions, evaluates performance enhancement strategies, and discusses the challenges they face and their future prospects. Through a comprehensive analysis, this article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the application of SACs in the energy field, promoting technological advancement and commercial application in this area.