Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into value-added chemicals should reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and counteract global warming caused by CO₂ generation. Nonetheless, CO₂ is rather stable and chemically inert, calling for effective electrocatalysts to avoid problems such as sluggish kinetics, low reaction efficiency and poor product selectivity during CO₂ conversion. Recently, single-atom catalysts have shown maximum atom utilization and unique catalytic performance during electrochemical reactions. Catalysts used have been developed from poorly controlled nanoparticles or nanoclusters to isolated atomic structures. Herein, we review the preparation, characterization, anchoring strategies and electrochemical applications of single-atom catalysts. Concerning methods of preparation, the use of organometallic ligands shows high potential for synthesis and industrial applications. Both characterization and calculations using the density functional theory allow to assess the atomic distribution, the coordination environment and the catalytic mechanism. To improve synthesis, we present four anchoring strategies: defect engineering, atom coordination, spatial confinement and sacrifice template. Applications in electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to liquid and gaseous products reveal Faraday efficiency higher than 90%, excellent activity, selectivity, stability and kinetic properties.

将CO ₂电化学还原成高附加值的化学品应减少化石燃料的消耗并抵消由CO ₂产生引起的全球变暖。然而，CO ₂相当稳定且化学惰性，需要有效的电催化剂来避免诸如CO ₂动力学缓慢，反应效率低和产物选择性差的问题。转换。最近，单原子催化剂在电化学反应中显示出最大的原子利用率和独特的催化性能。所使用的催化剂已从控制不佳的纳米颗粒或纳米簇发展为孤立的原子结构。本文中，我们综述了单原子催化剂的制备，表征，锚定策略和电化学应用。关于制备方法，有机金属配体的使用显示出很高的合成和工业应用潜力。使用密度泛函理论进行表征和计算都可以评估原子分布，配位环境和催化机理。为了改善合成，我们提出了四种锚定策略：缺陷工程，原子协调，空间限制和牺牲模板。₂对液态和气态产物的显示法拉第效率高于90％，具有出色的活性，选择性，稳定性和动力学性能。