Research progress in the fabrication and application of rare-earth single-atom photocatalysts

With distinct advantages of enhanced light capture, high charge transfer rate and fast surface reactions in photocatalytic systems, single-atom photocatalysts have become one of the most active research directions in the photocatalytic field. Rare earth elements have a unique electronic structure, exhibit superior optical, electrical and other properties, and are widely used in photocatalytic research. Reducing the size of rare earth metals to the single-atom scale is very important for improving photocatalytic efficiency and utilization efficiency. The rare earth single-atom photocatalysts are summerized, focusing on the current preparation method of rare earth single-atom photocatalysts and the application of rare earth single-atom photocatalysts. The challenges and development directions of rare earth single-atom photocatalysts are discussed.