Recent Progress of Single‐Atom Catalysts for High‐Performance Metal‐Sulfur Batteries

ABSTRACT

Metal‐sulfur (M‐S) batteries have attracted immense attention as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage, owing to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, natural abundance, and cost‐effectiveness. However, practical commercialization remains impeded by inherent bottlenecks, including sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, metal dendrite growth, and the polysulfide shuttle effect. Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a frontier solution, offering maximized atomic utilization, tunable coordination environments, and exceptional electrocatalytic activity. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in SAC‐enabled M‐S batteries. We first delineate the fundamental electrochemistry of diverse M‐S systems, establishing a foundation for the rational design principles and state‐of‐the‐art synthetic methodologies of SACs. Particular emphasis is placed on unraveling intrinsic catalytic mechanisms, highlighting the critical role of d–p orbital hybridization between single‐atom metal centers and sulfur intermediates in lowering activation barriers and modulating bidirectional redox kinetics. Building on these mechanistic insights, we critically evaluate SAC applications across a broad spectrum—from conventional Li‐S to emerging beyond‐lithium systems, including Na‐S, Al‐S, K‐S, Zn‐S, and Mg‐S batteries. Finally, we provide perspectives on current challenges and future directions to guide rational SAC design for high‐energy‐density, long‐lifespan M‐S electrochemistry.