Recent progress of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for the advanced oxidation of organic compounds: A comprehensive review on metal-specific performance and mechanisms

Abstract

The escalating global concern over persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in water sources has driven the development of advanced and highly efficient remediation technologies to address this issue. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a revolutionary platform for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) owing to their maximum atom utilization efficiency and tunable electronic structure. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of recent progress in the field of SACs for the catalytic degradation of organic compounds. We critically examine the state-of-the-art synthesis methodologies, including atomic layer deposition, wet-chemistry approaches, and defect engineering, as well as advanced characterization techniques essential for confirming the single-atom nature. The primary focus is on the structure-activity relationship and the underlying mechanisms through which SACs activate common oxidants such as H 2 O 2 , persulfates, and O 2 . We present a detailed metal-specific review of the performance of platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and cobalt (Co) SACs, highlighting their unique roles and catalytic efficiencies.