Heterogeneous electrocatalysts from nanostructures to single atoms for biomass-derived feedstocks upgrading

Sustainable energy-driven electrochemical upgrading of the globally available and already-fixed biomass-derived feedstocks enables the decentralized low-temperature synthesis of upgraded chemicals and fuels, providing a promising pathway to alleviate the global warming and environmental deterioration caused by excessive consumption of fossil fuels. Leveraging these achievements necessitates highly active, selective, stable and costeffective heterogeneous electrocatalysts, which can be obtained by size and morphology engineering at nano- scale. Herein, we summarize the recent progress on size and morphology-controlled synthesis of various nano- structured electrocatalysts with dimensions ranging from 3D, 2D, 1D, and 0D, and single-atom electrocatalysts after brief introduction of nanoscale size/geometry effects, and biomass-derived feedstocks. Subsequently, the electrocatalytic applications of these well-developed nanomaterials for biomass-derived feedstocks upgrading through electrochemical oxidation and reduction are given, with specific emphasis on exploring the underlying structure-performance correlations by combined experiments, in situ/ operando spectroscopy characterizations and theory simulations. Finally, a brief conclusion and remarks on future challenges and opportunities regarding further development of advanced heterogeneous electrocatalysts for biomass valorization are presented.