Yolk-Shell catalyst: From past to future

Abstract The catalytic reaction is closely related to most aspects of our life and it is plays a vital role in almost all chemical processes. In recent years, York-Shell (YS) materials have sprung up as popular catalysts due to its unique functions stemmed from the cavity. This review provides a critical survey and update of the synthesis and application of YS materials in catalysis, including environmental remediation, fuel cells, organic synthesis, sensor and biomedicine, especially the achievements in the past five years. First, the different functions of YS structure and other structural materials are succinctly summarized, with emphasis on the superiority of YS material. The synthesis method of YS materials is then comprehensively reviewed, including the selection, function and structural design of various materials with different strategies. After that, the applications of YS material ascatalysts in different aspects are comprehensively described,with briefly introduce the scientific principle and the advantages of the YS catalyst. Finally, this review provided a critical perspectiveon the existing problems of YS materials,as well as the challenges relevant to the stable synthesis and large-scale utilization.