Recent advances of single-atom catalysts for peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation processes aimed at environmental remediation

Owing to their ultrahigh utilization of active sites, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with electronic features that depend on metal centers and coordination microenvironments are fantastic materials for catalyzing the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Catalytic active sites in SACs and the corresponding mechanisms in PMS systems are essential to exploring and increasing performance. In this review, SACs for PMS-activated AOPs include Fe–SACs, Co–SACs, and other metal–SACs are introduced with their coordination microenvironments. The main mechanisms and pathways of these SACs activating PMS are further summarized and discussed. Finally, the challenges and research need of SACs are emphasized.