Carbon-based single-atom catalysts derived from biomass: Fabrication and application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit high atomic efficiency and stability in heterogeneous catalysis.
• Utilizing biomass as a feedstock for SACs presents a sustainable and cost-effective approach.
• Biomass valorization is enhanced through the production of advanced catalytic materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of biomass-derived carbon-based SACs.
• To elucidate the interactions between metal atoms and biomass-derived carbon carriers.
• To discuss the applications, structure-property relationships, and catalytic mechanisms of these SACs.

Main Methods:

• Enumeration of common biomass feedstocks (lignin, cellulose, chitosan) for SAC synthesis.
• Summary of metal-atom/carbon-carrier interactions for stabilizing active sites.
• Comprehensive introduction to catalytic applications in chemocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis.

Main Results:

• Detailed discussion on structure-property relationships and catalytic mechanisms.
• Analysis of how metal sites and unique single-atom structures influence activity and selectivity.
• Identification of key interactions for rationalizing porous carbon structures and stabilizing metal centers.

Conclusions:

• Biomass-derived SACs are a promising area for sustainable catalysis.
• Understanding metal-biomass interactions is crucial for optimizing catalyst design.
• Future research should focus on overcoming challenges and exploring new applications for these advanced materials.