Nanostructured catalysts incorporating supported metal atoms or small clusters of defined size and chemical composition attract considerable attention because of their potential to maximize resource efficiency. When optimally assembled, all the metal nuclei can participate in the catalytic cycle with properties tailored to deliver high specific activity and stable performance. Over the past decade, both the number and diversity of reported systems have exploded as researchers attempted to control the nanostructure with increasing atomic precision. Nonetheless, spatially resolving the architecture and properties of supported low-nuclearity catalysts using existing analytical methods remains challenging. After identifying general structural features of this advanced family of catalytic materials, including their composition, nuclearity, coordination environment and location, as well as dynamic effects in reactive environments, this Review critically examines progress in their control and understanding. State-of-the-art experimental and theoretical approaches for their characterization are explored, addressing strengths and limitations through recent case studies. Finally, we outline directions for future work that will cross frontiers in the design of catalytic materials, which will be indispensable for developing high-performing new architectures for sustainable technologies.

包含负载金属原子或具有确定尺寸和化学成分的小簇的纳米结构催化剂由于其最大限度地提高资源效率的潜力而吸引了相当多的关注。当最佳组装时，所有金属核都可以参与催化循环，并具有定制的特性，以提供高比活性和稳定的性能。在过去的十年中，随着研究人员试图以越来越高的原子精度控制纳米结构，报告系统的数量和多样性都呈爆炸式增长。尽管如此，使用现有的分析方法在空间上解析负载型低核催化剂的结构和性质仍然具有挑战性。在确定了这一先进催化材料系列的一般结构特征后，包括它们的成分、核度、协调环境和位置，以及反应环境中的动态影响，本评论批判性地检查了它们控制和理解的进展。探索了用于表征的最先进的实验和理论方法，通过最近的案例研究解决了优势和局限性。最后，我们概述了未来在催化材料设计方面跨越边界的工作方向，这对于开发用于可持续技术的高性能新架构是必不可少的。通过最近的案例研究解决优势和局限性。最后，我们概述了未来在催化材料设计方面跨越边界的工作方向，这对于开发用于可持续技术的高性能新架构是必不可少的。通过最近的案例研究解决优势和局限性。最后，我们概述了未来在催化材料设计方面跨越边界的工作方向，这对于开发用于可持续技术的高性能新架构是必不可少的。