Beyond Monosite Catalysis: Multi‐Tiered Site Engineering for Advanced CO <sub>2</sub> Valorization

Abstract Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have redefined the landscape of heterogeneous catalysis by offering atom‐level precision and remarkable activity in small‐molecule transformations. Yet, their inherently isolated active centers limit the ability to mediate complex multi‐step reactions such as cascade, tandem, and multi‐intermediate conversions. To address this challenge, multi‐tiered site engineering (MTSE), a conceptual framework in which spatially and electronically coupled active sites cooperate to transcend the constraints of conventional mono‐site catalysis is introduced. MTSE advances SAC design along four key dimensions: dual‐atom ensembles, single‐atom/nanostructure hybrids, functional group cooperativity, and support‐mediated electronic modulation. By orchestrating synergistic adsorption and stepwise intermediate conversion, these strategies unlock efficient routes for CO 2 conversion into fuels and high‐value chemicals. Progress across thermal, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic systems, highlighting how MTSE enhances activity, selectivity, and durability through deliberate multi‐site interplay is critically assessed. Cutting‐edge in situ and operando spectroscopies are emphasized as indispensable for unraveling dynamic intermediates and structure‐function correlations. Looking forward, pressing challenges, including atomically precise synthesis, mechanistic deconvolution of cooperative pathways, and integration into cascade process design are identified. This review positions MTSE as a transformative paradigm for next‐generation SACs and a pathway toward sustainable CO 2 valorization.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-11-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202522973
Citations
1
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.36

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Beyond Monosite Catalysis: Multi‐Tiered Site Engineering for Advanced CO 2 Valorization

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1 citations
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CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
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article

Beyond Monosite Catalysis: Multi‐Tiered Site Engineering for Advanced CO 2 Valorization

Jiawei Hu, Leyu Wang, Yueguang Chen, Yao Shuai, Wenqiang Sun
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have redefined the landscape of heterogeneous catalysis by offering atom‐level precision and remarkable activity in small‐molecule transformations. Yet, their inherently isolated active centers limit the ability to mediate complex multi‐step reactions such as cascade, tandem, and multi‐intermediate conversions. To address this challenge, multi‐tiered site engineering (MTSE), a conceptual framework in which spatially and electronically coupled active sites cooperate to transcend the constraints of conventional mono‐site catalysis is introduced. MTSE advances SAC design along four key dimensions: dual‐atom ensembles, single‐atom/nanostructure hybrids, functional group cooperativity, and support‐mediated electronic modulation. By orchestrating synergistic adsorption and stepwise intermediate conversion, these strategies unlock efficient routes for CO 2 conversion into fuels and high‐value chemicals. Progress across thermal, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic systems, highlighting how MTSE enhances activity, selectivity, and durability through deliberate multi‐site interplay is critically assessed. Cutting‐edge in situ and operando spectroscopies are emphasized as indispensable for unraveling dynamic intermediates and structure‐function correlations. Looking forward, pressing challenges, including atomically precise synthesis, mechanistic deconvolution of cooperative pathways, and integration into cascade process design are identified. This review positions MTSE as a transformative paradigm for next‐generation SACs and a pathway toward sustainable CO 2 valorization.

Advanced Functional Materials
Beijing University of Chemical Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 36%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
0.36
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