Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies

Spyrou, Anastasia V.; Zodhiates, Konstantinos; Deligiannakis, Yiannis

doi:10.3390/nano15030226

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Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies

by

Anastasia V. Spyrou

,

Konstantinos Zodhiates

and

Yiannis Deligiannakis

^*

Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials & Environment, Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(3), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030226

Submission received: 30 December 2024 / Revised: 24 January 2025 / Accepted: 25 January 2025 / Published: 30 January 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Energy and Catalysis)

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Abstract

Adatoms as co-catalysts may play a key role in photocatalysis, yet control of their exact configuration remains challenging. Specifically, there is converging evidence that ultra-small structures may be optimal as co-catalysts; however, a comprehensive distinction between single atoms (SAs), sub-nanoclusters (SNCs), and quantum-sized small particles (QSSPs) has yet to be established. Herein, we present a critical review addressing these distinctions, along with challenges related to the controlled synthesis of SAs, SNCs, and QSSPs; their detection methods; and their functional benefits in photocatalysis. Our discussion focuses on perovskite oxides (e.g., such as ABO₃, where A and B are cations) and metal oxides (M_xO_y, where M is a metal) decorated with adatoms, which demonstrate superior photocatalytic performance compared to their unmodified counterparts. Finally, we highlight cases of misinterpretation between SA, SNC, and QSSP configurations emerging from limitations in high-resolution detection techniques and synthesis methods.

Keywords: single atom co-catalyst; sub-nanoclusters; quantum-sized small particles; perovskite oxides; photocatalysis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Spyrou, A.V.; Zodhiates, K.; Deligiannakis, Y. Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies. Nanomaterials 2025, 15, 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030226

AMA Style

Spyrou AV, Zodhiates K, Deligiannakis Y. Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies. Nanomaterials. 2025; 15(3):226. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030226

Chicago/Turabian Style

Spyrou, Anastasia V., Konstantinos Zodhiates, and Yiannis Deligiannakis. 2025. "Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies" Nanomaterials 15, no. 3: 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030226

APA Style

Spyrou, A. V., Zodhiates, K., & Deligiannakis, Y. (2025). Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies. Nanomaterials, 15(3), 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030226

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Comparison of Single Atoms vs. Sub-Nanoclusters as Co-Catalysts in Perovskites and Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic Technologies

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