Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 90: 52-81.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65171-6

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Multiscale optimization design of porphyrin electrocatalysts for redox reactions under operational conditions

Mingyi Zhaoa,1, Zhengyang Liua,1, Cong Yanga,1, Zhaodi Hea, Yujun Guoa, Rui Caia, Xiangqian Yinc, Jianwei Wangc, Xueqin Mua, Suli Liua,*(), Dingsheng Wangb,*(), Zhihui Daia   

  1. a School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, Jiangsu, China
    b Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    c China GRINM Group Co. Ltd., Beijing 100088, China
  • Received:2026-02-08 Accepted:2026-03-22 Online:2026-11-05 Published:2026-09-09
  • About author:Sui Liu (School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University) received her PhD from the Nanjing Normal University in 2014. She joined Nanjing Xiaozhuang University where she became a full professor. Currently, she works at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University. Her research focuses on new energy materials, water-splitting electrocatalysts, and other related fields of electrochemical catalysis.
    Dingsheng Wang (Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University) received his BS degree from the Department of Chemistry and Physics at the University of Science and Technology of China in 2004, and his PhD degree from the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University in 2009 under the supervision of Prof. Yadong Li. He conducted his postdoctoral research in Prof. Shoushan Fan's group at the Department of Physics, Tsinghua University. He joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, in 2012. His research interests focus on the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials, clusters, and single-atom and dual-atom site catalysts.
    First author contact:

    1Contributed equally to this work.

  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22234005);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22494632);Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U25A20581);Major Basic Research Project of the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(25KJA150002);Jiangsu Provincial University Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medical Sensing Materials and Devices

Abstract:

Porphyrin electrocatalysts possess significant advantages, including adjustable structure, high selectivity, and excellent stability, and are widely applied in redox reactions. However, under actual operating conditions, porphyrin catalysts are prone to structural rearrangement and loss of active sites, resulting in decreased activity and stability, and making it difficult to meet the requirements of industrial applications. Based on the current status of porphyrin catalysts from theoretical research to industrial application, this review aims to clarify the design and application strategies of them under actual operating conditions. Firstly, we provide an overview of the classification system of porphyrin catalysts. Secondly, we delve into the challenges faced by porphyrin catalysts in industrial environments. Subsequently, we propose optimization strategies for porphyrin electrocatalysts at the atomic scale (strongly coupled carrier and spatial confinement) and the molecular scale (regulation of large ring conjugation, strengthening metal-ligand bonds and mass transfer channels), and cover their practical applications. Finally, we focus on integrated electrodes suitable for industrial implementation. We systematically summarize the main challenges and solutions faced by porphyrin electrocatalysts under actual working conditions, and outline the future development directions.

Key words: Porphyrin electrocatalysts, Redox reactions, Multiscale regulation, Industrial-scale production