Modulating the microenvironment of single atom catalysts with tailored activity to benchmark the CO₂ reduction

Extreme fossil fuel consumption results in increasing the emanation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere and fosters ecocrisis. The CO₂ electrocatalytic reduction has together functioned of deteriorating the concentration of greenhouse gas and transforming it into useful products. The research on low-cost, efficient and stable catalysts has gained great attention due to the fundamental CO₂ chemical inertness. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have a lot of potential in terms of maximal atomic efficiency, CO₂ reduction activity, selectivity, and stability making them good candidates for next-generation catalyst development. In spite of significant attempts to create diverse single-atom active sites, the resulting catalysts' performance remains poor. Fortuitously, SAC activity and selectivity for CO₂ removal can be improved through microenvironment modulation. In the current review, first, the fabrication methods of SACs, characterization technologies and reaction mechanism pathway of CO₂ reduction on SACs are described. Additionally, new developments in the tuning of SACs microenvironment are thoroughly summarized in detail, for enhancing the CO₂ reduction activity and selectivity. Finally, future directions of CO₂ reduction on SACs and other analogous techniques are highlighted by giving perspectives on lasting obstacles of SACs and newfound microenvironment engineering.