Metal-metal interactions in correlated single-atom catalysts

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) include a promising family of electrocatalysts with unique geometric structures. Beyond conventional ones with fully isolated metal sites, an emerging class of catalysts with the adjacent metal single atoms exhibiting intersite metal-metal interactions appear in recent years and can be denoted as correlated SACs (C-SACs). This type of catalysts provides more opportunities to achieve substantial structural modification and performance enhancement toward a wider range of electrocatalytic applications. On the basis of a clear identification of metal-metal interactions, this review critically examines the recent research progress in C-SACs. It shows that the control of metal-metal interactions enables regulation of atomic structure, local coordination, and electronic properties of metal single atoms, which facilitate the modulation of electrocatalytic behavior of C-SACs. Last, we outline directions for future work in the design and development of C-SACs, which is indispensable for creating high-performing new SAC architectures.

Automated summary

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising electrocatalysts with unique geometric structures. A recent development in this field is the emergence of correlated SACs (C-SACs), which have adjacent metal single atoms participating in metal-metal interactions. Controlling these interactions allows for regulation of atomic structure and properties, leading to modulation of electrocatalytic behavior of C-SACs. Future directions include the design and development of C-SACs to create high-performing new SAC architectures.