Dual Metal Atomic Site Catalysts for CO₂ Reduction Reactions

The development of efficient catalysts for CO₂ reduction remains a key challenge in the transition toward carbon neutrality and sustainable energy systems. Dual metal atomic site (DMAS) catalysts have emerged as a transformative class of materials, with the potential to surpass traditional single-atom catalysts in a certain circumstance due to the synergistic interplay between two metal centers. This dual site configuration allows for fine-tuning of the geometries, electronic structure, enhanced adsorption of intermediates, and improved catalytic kinetics, offering new opportunities for highly selective and efficient CO₂ conversion. Despite significant progress, a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties and catalytic behavior of DMAS catalysts remains underdeveloped, limiting their broader application. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in DMAS catalysts for CO₂ reduction, encompassing their structural classification, screening strategies, substrate materials, and further elucidates their mechanistic roles and performance variations across diverse CO₂ conversion pathways, including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and other emerging catalytic systems. We highlight the structure-performance relationships governing catalytic activity and selectivity of DMAS catalysts, discuss existing limitations and outline future research directions with a focus on rational catalyst design, operando characterization, and scalable synthesis. By integrating theoretical insights and practical considerations, this review aims to advance the development of DMAS catalysts for sustainable CO₂ conversion technologies.