Recent advances in nonmetallic atom-doped metal nanocrystals: Synthesis and catalytic applications

Metal nanocrystals have been recognized as the main catalytic materials in many fields, but insufficient activity and stability, as well as high prices, have limited their large-scale potential applications. As one of the extremely promising alternatives toward metal in boosting their catalytic performance, nonmetallic atoms-doped metal nanocrystals have recently received extensive attention because of their high efficiency, chemical and structural durability, abundant reserve, and low cost. In this review, we highlight the most recent progress in this field and provide insights into their catalytic applications. The metal-nonmetal nanocrystals prepared by doping metal nanocrystals with nonmetallic atoms are introduced and classified based on the types of nonmetallic atoms, including metal hydrides, borides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, phosphides, and chalcogenides. Besides, their applications in catalysis, especially in electrocatalysis and organic catalysis, have been summarized and discussed. Finally, the conclusions and perspectives are given for the catalysis-driven rational design of metal-nonmetal nanocrystals in this minireview.