Single-unit-cell-thick layered electrocatalysts: from synthesis to application

Electrocatalysts are critical for water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and zinc–air battery. However, the low-exposed surface areas of bulk electrocatalysts usually limit the complete utilization of active sites. Ultrathin electrocatalysts have noteworthy advantages in maximizing the use of active sites. Among the pioneering works on such performing catalysts, the development of single-unit-cell-thick layered electrocatalysts (STLEs) has attracted extensive attention owing to their superior specific surface area and large number of vacancies, which can provide abundant available surface active sites. Therefore, this minireview provides recent advances in STLE synthesis and applications, which are helpful for electrocatalysis-oriented researchers. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges for developing high-performance STLEs are proposed.