Amorphous nanomaterials for energy catalysis: a review

Abstract

Amorphous nanomaterials - defined by short-range atomic order coupled with long-range structural disorder - exhibit a high density of intrinsic defects, coordinatively unsaturated active sites, and highly tunable electronic configurations. These structural and electronic characteristics collectively confer exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity in energy-related catalytic applications, often surpassing those of their crystalline counterparts. This review comprehensively outlines controllable synthetic strategies for three archetypal classes of amorphous-based catalytic materials: (i) purely amorphous materials, (ii) amorphous/crystalline heterojunction, and (iii) amorphous/single-atom composites. Building upon this synthetic foundation, we critically analyze the structure-activity relationships, performance advantages, and mechanistic underpinnings governing their efficacy in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. We identify rational amorphous structural design, precise interface engineering, and atomic-level dispersion as three pivotal levers for simultaneously enhancing catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. Finally, we propose forward-looking perspectives on advancing amorphous nanomaterials toward scalable manufacturing, fundamental mechanistic elucidation - particularly through operando characterization and multiscale modeling - and integration into next-generation energy conversion and storage devices. Collectively, this review furnishes a conceptual framework and actionable guidance for the rational design and practical deployment of high-performance amorphous-based catalysts in energy applications.

Keywords

Amorphous materials / amorphous/crystalline heterojunction / amorphous single-atom / electrocatalysis / photocatalysis

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