Abstract: The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting is pivotal technologies of future green hydrogen economy, but the synthesis of low cost, high efficiency catalysts with high stability remains a critical scientific challenge to be addressed for both. Single-atom catalyst (SACs) are regarded as one of the most promising catalysts due to their unique electronic structure and maximum atomic utilization. While the metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) are ideal single atoms carriers due to ultra-high specific surface area, tunable porous nanostructure, and abundant active sites, serving as SACs synthesis precursors owing to its unique pyrolysis characteristics. The composite system of MOFs and single atom catalysts (MOF-SACs) can take full advantage of the synergistic effect, thus improving the hydrogen evolution catalytic activity significantly. In this review, the recent applications and research progress of MOF-SACs in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production progress are introduced, while the strategies for enhancing the catalytic activity are summarized. Moreover, the future research hotspots and trends are outlined, which can provide novel design models for HER catalysts.

Key words: Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs), Single-atom, Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis, Hydrogen evolution reaction