Frontiers in transition‐metal single‐atom electrocatalysts: Design tactics, mechanistic regulation, and electrochemical sensing technologies
Yue Cao, Bo‐Yu Chen, Yiru Sheng, Haoyuan Song, Linan Zhu, Xiaohan Yang, Yuehe Lin, Wenlei Zhu, Yang ZhouAbstract
Single‐atom electrocatalysts (SAECs) have attracted significant attention as emerging functional materials for next‐generation electrochemical (EC) sensing technologies. In this review, we summarize recent progress in low‐cost transition‐metal SAECs within this domain, with a focus on their unique structural merits—including maximal atomic utilization, tunable coordination environments, and high catalytic selectivity—that contribute to enhanced sensing performance. We outline two primary synthetic approaches, namely ion impregnation‐carbonization and sacrificial template‐calcination, and further discuss rational structural engineering strategies for tailoring electronic configurations via active site and support modulation. The practical implementation of transition‐metal SAECs in EC sensing is systematically reviewed, covering the detection of physiological, environmental, pharmaceutical, and gaseous molecules. Importantly, the emerging role of SAECs in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing is highlighted, particularly in the widely explored luminol‐dissolved oxygen system. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and offer insights into future directions toward the intelligent design and integrated applications of SAECs in high‐performance EC sensing platforms.