Single-Atom Catalysts: Synthesis and Sustainable Applications

S ingle-atom catalysts (SACs) are a significant advancement in catalysis, featuring individual metal atoms supported on different materials.This unique design at the atomic scale enhances atom efficiency by maximizing the use of atoms, presenting extraordinary opportunities to improve catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability while minimizing the use of precious metals.Due to their tunable electronic and geometric properties, SACs have unlocked new pathways for driving environmentally sustainable processes, such as pollutant remediation, energy conversion, and chemical manufacturing.As a versatile and highly efficient class of catalysts, SACs are poised to play a transformative role in addressing key challenges in green chemistry and sustainable development.This Special Issue (SI) of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, entitled Single-Atom Catalysts: Synthesis and Sustainable Applications, brings together recent advances and emerging discoveries across the rapidly evolving field of singleatom catalysis.Covering topics that range from electrocatalysis for energy conversion to fuel-cell technologies to sustainable organic transformations, the collection reflects both the breadth and depth of current research on SACs.Recognizing the wide-ranging relevance of SACs in environmental remediation, renewable energy systems, and chemical manufacturing, this SI is curated to engage a broader scientific community involved in interdisciplinary research.Looking ahead, Li et al. (10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c01249) believe that the evolving landscape of SACs research holds immense promise for expanding the scope of applications, particularly in electrocatalysis and environmental remediation.They emphasize that continued innovation in the design of SACs through modulation of their electronic structures, coordination environments, and support interactions will be crucial for enhancing their catalytic performance under practical conditions.Importantly, advances in SACs design are particularly relevant for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia, as optimizing these catalysts is key to developing efficient, sustainable processes for ammonia synthesis and environmental cleanup.Moreover, the development of stable, scalable single-atom catalysts (SACs) that can withstand harsh operational environments remains a significant focus, as stability directly impacts their viability for industrial deployment.The authors also highlighted the importance of integrating SACs with advanced energy systems, such as smart grids and distributed energy devices, to facilitate on-site ammonia synthesis, energy storage, and pollution control.