Single-atom materials: The application in energy conversion

Single-atom materials (SAMs) have become one of the most important power sources to push the field of energy conversion forward. Among the main types of energy, including thermal energy, electrical energy, solar energy, and biomass energy, SAMs have realized ultra-high efficiency and show an appealing future in practical application. More than high activity, the uniform active sites also provide a convincible model for chemists to design and comprehend the mechanism behind the phenomenon. Therefore, we presented an insightful review of the application of the single-atom material in the field of energy conversion. The challenges (e.g., accurate synthesis and practical application) and future directions (e.g., machine learning and efficient design) of the applications of SAMs in energy conversion are included, aiming to provide guidance for the research in the next step. © 2024 The Authors. Interdisciplinary Materials published by Wuhan University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.