Copper‐Based Atomically Dispersed Catalysts for Electrocatalysis: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

ABSTRACT Atomically dispersed catalysts have attracted considerable attention in electrocatalysis for their maximized atomic utilization, excellent catalytic performance, and atomic perspective for mechanistic understanding. Among them, copper‐based atomically dispersed catalysts (Cu‐ADCs) are distinguished by their fully occupied 3 d 10 electronic configuration, favorable d ‐orbital energies alignment, and adjustable d ‐orbital energy levels, which ensure moderate binding energies for various adsorbed intermediates. These features endow Cu‐ADCs with remarkable activity and distinctive selectivity across diverse electrocatalytic processes, particularly those involving multi‐electron transfer. Furthermore, unlike many conventional static single‐atom catalysts (SACs), isolated Cu sites can undergo dynamic reconstruction under applied potentials, forming transient atomic ensembles that drive complex steps requiring adjacent active sites. This review examines the recent advances in Cu‐ADCs for energy and environmental electrocatalysis. The synthetic strategies and stabilization challenges of atomically dispersed Cu species are first elaborated, followed by discussions of the electronic regulation approaches and the dynamic structural evolution of Cu‐ADCs under reaction conditions. Subsequently, the catalytic performance in various electrocatalytic reactions is discussed, with emphasis on the structure‐activity relationships and the underlying mechanisms. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are outlined to guide the rational design of efficient Cu‐ADCs.