Recent progress on precious metal single atom materials for water splitting catalysis

Electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production has sparked intensive interests because it provides a new approach for sustainable energy resources and the avoidance of environmental problems. The precious metal-based single atomic catalysts (PMSACs) have been widely employed in water splitting catalysis by virtue of their maximum atom utilization and unique electronic structure, which can reduce metal amounts and remain high catalytic performance simultaneously. In this review, we will summarize recent research efforts toward developing SACs based on precious metals with excellent performance for electrochemical water splitting catalysis. First, the synthesis strategies for PMSACs will be classified and introduced including high-temperature pyrolysis, electrochemical method, photochemical reduction, wet chemistry method, etc. Then, a short description of characterization techniques for SACs will be given, which mainly involves the aberration-corrected scanning-transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In particular, the relationship between the electronic structure of the precious metal atomic sites and performance for water splitting will be discussed according to the theoretical and experimental results. Finally, a brief perspective will be provided to highlight the challenges and opportunities for the development of novel PMSACs suitable for electrochemical water splitting applications.

Automated summary

Electrochemical water splitting using precious metal-based single atomic catalysts (PMSACs) has attracted significant interest due to its potential for sustainable energy resources and environmental benefits. This review summarizes recent research on developing SACs with excellent performance for water splitting catalysis, including synthesis strategies, characterization techniques, and discussions on the relationship between electronic structure and catalytic performance. Opportunities and challenges for the development of novel PMSACs suitable for electrochemical water splitting applications are also highlighted.