State-of-the-art advancements in single atom electrocatalysts originating from MOFs for electrochemical energy conversion

Significant environmental issues have emerged from the increasing usage of fossil fuels, stimulating extensive interest in improving efficient energy production and storage systems. Electrocatalysis, which plays a crucial role in clean energy conversion, could foster the advancement of future sustainable technologies. Electrocatalytic activity is greatly enhanced by single-atom catalysts (SACs) because of their distinctive physical and chemical frameworks. The coordination environment can influence the geometry and electronic structure of SACs, contributing to the escalation of the efficiency of electrocatalytic for meeting practical needs. Due to their numerous micropores, greater surface area, and adjustable organic ligands, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been shown to be an excellent approach to developing SACs. This review provides a complete summary of current instances involving the synthesis of SACs originating from MOFs. In addition, this review also addresses the impact of single-atoms (SAs) on electrocatalytic activity within the local coordination environment, including the spatial distribution, coordination structure, and local electronic structure. Besides, the density functional theory that provides theoretical support for the electrocatalytic reaction has summarized and analyzed the application of SACs in the electrocatalytic field. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.