Single-atom catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction: recent developments and future perspectives

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) possess the potential to achieve unique catalytic properties and remarkable catalytic mass activity by utilizing low-coordination and unsaturated active sites. However, smaller particles tend to aggregate into clusters or particles owing to their high surface energy. In addition, support materials that have strong interactions with isolated metal atoms, extremely large surface areas, and electrochemical stability are required. Therefore, sufficient information about these factors is needed to synthesize and utilize SACs. Herein, we review the recent investigations and advances in SACs for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). We present not only the structural characterization of SACs, but also in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques and computational research for SACs to understand the mechanism and reveal the origin of their excellent OER activity. Further…