Catalysts Design and Atomistic Reaction Modulation by Atomic Layer Deposition for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique has emerged as a fascinating tool for the design and synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts with atomic precision for energy conversion, generation, and storage applications. Here, we demonstrate the importance of the ALD for catalyst design by citing recently reported works, in particular, the emphasis has been given to the surface/interface engineering of catalysts for improving their catalytic efficiency in energy applications. To get insight into the reaction mechanism, the ALD-based routes for catalyst synthesis may revolutionize the field of sustainable energy conversion and storage. Moreover, the synthesis of supported nanoparticles with controlled shape and size has attracted great attention in catalysis owing to their unique properties. By taking advantage of the ALD, it is possible to synthesize catalysts at the atomic scale, particularly, site-selective ALD provides tremendous opportunities in catalytic efficiency and selectivity studies. Moreover, this review illustrates diverse heterogeneous catalysts with their limitations for energy-related applications and how the ALD technique can facilitate overcoming them. Finally, we deliberate the advancement in the ALD technique on heterogeneous catalyst design, and interface engineering of catalysts, and outline future perspectives of this technology in catalysis.