Advanced development of dual-atom catalysts: From synthesis methods to versatile electrocatalytic applications

Abstract

In recent years, dual-atom catalysts (DACs) have emerged as a significant area of interest, extending beyond the scope of single-atom catalysts. The DACs can offer enhanced metal loading and a wider variety of active centers by integrating two metal atoms. The advancement of atomically dispersed catalysts has led to broader adaptability and superior catalytic efficiency for sustainable energy conversion reactions, showcasing great potential in electrocatalysis. However, it is still facing challenges and uncertainties in thoroughly understanding their mechanisms and identifying precisely and universally applicable synthesis methods. In this review, we firstly provide a comprehensive introduction of the synthesis method of DACs, including pyrolysis, atomic layer deposition, and impregnation. Then, we introduce their potential applications in several key energy conversion reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction, which can achieve an impressive overpotential of only 10 mV to generate a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with IrRu DACs, and oxygen evolution reaction. Through a comprehensive discussion of the synthesis, application, and catalytic mechanism of DACs, this paper aims to understand their structure-performance relationships and the deep catalytic mechanisms, hoping to provide new insights for catalytic science in the field of renewable energy. We anticipate that incorporating DACs into our analysis will pave new pathways for tackling energy and environmental challenges, thereby steering catalytic science towards a future of enhanced efficiency, stability, and sustainability.