Metal Single-Atom Materials: Unlocking the Future of Sustainable Energy and Environment in Automobiles

Automobiles are constantly evolving with advancements in green energy and environmental technologies, e.g., sustainable energy devices, green synthesis, carbon utilization, catalytic exhaust conversion, etc. Therefore, the automotive field has become a complex system engineering, which requires the coordination of these sub-fields for the future vehicle industry. Developing these sub-fields is inseparable from the research and application of novel nanomaterials. Among the nanomaterials that have emerged in recent years, metal single-atom materials (MSAMs) have received particular attention due to their ultrahigh host atom utilization rate and abundant adjustability. MSAMs will likely accelerate vehicle development, which is mainly reflected in transforming energy structures and innovating specific green technologies. Herein, we first concluded the relationship between nanomaterials and sub-applications of automobiles. Then, the progress of large-scale preparation of MSAMs and their potential applications in dominating automotive fields, including fuel production, power supply equipment, and exhaust treatment are systematically summarized. Finally, the possible contributions and impacts of MSAMs on the automotive field are presented. This review aims to provide a systematic summary of MSAMs applied in specific sustainable energy and environmental applications for vehicles, thus achieving the rational design and utilization of atomic-scale modification on nanomaterials for developing a revolutionary automobile transportation system.