Preparation, characterization of iron-based single-atom catalysts and its application for photocatalytic degradation of contaminants in water

The field of catalysis is now an indispensable part of the field of chemistry. Iron-based single-atom catalysts(FeSACs), as a new type of catalyst, have shown full potential in various catalytic fields. Since various actions in the reaction also affect the overall catalytic performance, understanding the catalytic mechanism is an essential factor in improving the catalytic efficiency. This paper aims to summarize the theory and practical implementation of Fe-SACs in photocatalysis, which has received little attention in previous reviews. First, the preparation and characterization of Fe-SACs were discussed, including carrier selection, preparation strategies, and characterization techniques. Then, the role of Fe single-atoms in photocatalysis was analyzed from the perspective of three reaction steps. Finally, the photocatalytic application and mechanism of Fe-SACs on contaminants in water were summarized. In addition, the challenges and prospects of the current research progress of Fe-SACs are analyzed, to provide some new inspirations for the future application of Fe-SACs photocatalysis in the water environment.