TiO2-supported Single-atom Catalysts: Synthesis,Structure, and Application

In recent years, single-atom catalysts(SACs) have attracted increasing attention in catalysis. However, their stability is considerably challenging. As a result, fine-tuning the interaction of metal single atoms(SA) with different types of supports has emerged as an effective strategy for improving their thermal and chemical stabilities. Owing to its non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, high abundance, and excellent stability, as well as presence of rich, tunable, and reliable anchor sites for metal SA, TiO₂ has been extensively explored as a superior support for SACs. In this review, recent advances of TiO₂-supported SACs(M₁/TiO₂) are discussed, and synthetic strategies, structure elucidation, and catalytic applications are summarized. First, the recently developed synthetic strategies for M₁/TiO₂arehighlighted and summarized, identifying the major challenges for the precise fabrication of M₁/TiO₂. Subsequently, key characterization techniques for the structure identification of M₁/TiO₂are discussed. Next, catalytic applications of M₁/TiO₂ are highlighted, viz. photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and thermocatalysis. In addition, the mechanism via geometric structures and electronic states of metal centers facilitate catalytic reactions is outlined. Finally, opportunities and challenges of M₁/TiO₂ in catalysis are discussed, which may inspire the future development of M₁/TiO₂ for multifunctional catalytic applications.