Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, which show promising application potentials in many renewable energy-conversion technologies and critical industrial processes. In particular, carbon-supported SACs (CS-SACs) are of great interest because of their maximal atom utilization (∼100%), unique physicochemical structure, and beneficial synergistic effects between active catalytic sites and carbon substrates. In this review, we offer a critical overview of the unique advantages of CS-SACs related to their material designs, catalytic activities, and potential application areas. The state-of-the-art design and synthesis of CS-SACs are described under the framework of bottom-up and top-down approaches. We also comprehensively summarize recent advances in developing CS-SACs for important electrochemical reactions, i.e., oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, CO₂ reduction reaction, nitrogen reduction reaction, serving as bi-/multi-functional electrocatalysts, and usages in supercapacitors and batteries. Lastly, the critical challenges and future opportunities in this emerging field are highlighted.

单原子催化剂（SAC）具有均相和非均相催化剂的优点，在许多可再生能源转化技术和关键工业过程中显示出令人鼓舞的应用潜力。尤其是，碳载SAC（CS-SAC）具有最大的原子利用率（〜100％），独特的理化结构以及活性催化部位和碳底物之间的有益协同作用，因此引起了极大的兴趣。在这篇综述中，我们对CS-SAC在材料设计，催化活性和潜在应用领域方面的独特优势进行了概述。在自下而上和自上而下的方法的框架下描述了CS-SAC的最新设计和综合。₂还原反应，氮还原反应，用作双/多功能电催化剂，在超级电容器和电池中的用途。最后，重点介绍了这一新兴领域中的关键挑战和未来机遇。