TiO2-supported Single-atom Catalysts: Synthesis, Structure, and Application

• Published in: Chemical research in Chinese universities Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 1123 - 1138
• Main Authors: Liu, Zailun, Sun, Like, Zhang, Qitao, Teng, Zhenyuan, Sun, Hongli, Su, Chenliang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Changchun Jilin University and The Editorial Department of Chemical Research in Chinese Universities 01.10.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Catalysis; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Electron states; Inorganic Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry; Review; Single atom catalysts; Stability; Structural analysis; Titanium dioxide; Toxicity; Characterization; TiO; Single-atom catalyst; Synthetic strategy; support; Catalytic application
• ISSN: 1005-9040; 2210-3171
• DOI: 10.1007/s40242-022-2224-5

In recent years, single-atom catalysts(SACs) have attracted increasing attention in catalysis. However, their stability is considerably challenging. As a result, fine-tuning the interaction of metal single atoms(SA) with different types of supports has emerged as an effective strategy for improving their thermal and chemical stabilities. Owing to its non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, high abundance, and excellent stability, as well as presence of rich, tunable, and reliable anchor sites for metal SA, TiO 2 has been extensively explored as a superior support for SACs. In this review, recent advances of TiO 2 -supported SACs(M 1 /TiO 2 ) are discussed, and synthetic strategies, structure elucidation, and catalytic applications are summarized. First, the recently developed synthetic strategies for M 1 /TiO 2 are highlighted and summarized, identifying the major challenges for the precise fabrication of M 1 /TiO 2 . Subsequently, key characterization techniques for the structure identification of M 1 /TiO 2 are discussed. Next, catalytic applications of M 1 /TiO 2 are highlighted, viz. photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and thermocatalysis. In addition, the mechanism via geometric structures and electronic states of metal centers facilitate catalytic reactions is outlined. Finally, opportunities and challenges of M 1 /TiO 2 in catalysis are discussed, which may inspire the future development of M 1 /TiO 2 for multifunctional catalytic applications.