In this review, we summarize recent progress in self‑regenerating (intelligent) catalysts, an advanced class of supported metal catalysts capable of autonomous structural repair under realistic operating conditions. By enabling reversible transformations of active metal species in response to dynamic reaction environments, these catalysts address the long‑standing challenge of irreversible deactivation caused by sintering and structural degradation. Integrating advances in material design, operando characterization, and mechanistic understanding, the review highlights how self‑regenerating catalysts can sustain high activity across applications including automotive exhaust purification, CO₂ conversion, electrocatalysis, and hydrocarbon reforming, offering a pathway toward more durable and sustainable industrial catalysis.

Key Insights

• Dynamic structural self‑repair under working conditions
  Active metal species reversibly switch between single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles in response to redox atmosphere, temperature, or electrochemical potential, enabling continuous suppression of sintering and restoration of catalytic performance.
• Multiple support platforms enable self‑regeneration
  Self‑regenerating behavior has been demonstrated on perovskites, metal oxides, carbon materials, and zeolites, each providing distinct regeneration mechanisms, driving forces, and application domains.
• Driving forces extend beyond redox chemistry
  In addition to classical redox‑driven regeneration, potential‑driven and thermal‑driven mechanisms enable reversible metal dissolution and re‑precipitation, expanding the design space for intelligent catalytic systems.
• Mechanistic clarity through operando characterization
  Advanced in situ and operando techniques—including X‑ray absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy—reveal real‑time evolution of active sites and establish dynamic structure–activity relationships inaccessible by ex‑situ methods.

Significance

This assessment indicates that self‑regenerating catalysts represent a paradigm shift from static catalyst design to dynamic structure regulation. Their ability to self‑repair and adapt to fluctuating industrial environments can dramatically extend catalyst lifetime, reduce replacement costs, and enhance process sustainability. Coupling operando characterization with artificial intelligence‑guided design is expected to further accelerate discovery and optimization of next‑generation self‑regenerating catalysts, supporting cleaner, more efficient chemical manufacturing under harsh reaction conditions.

Authors & Affiliations

Huizhen Hong — State Key Laboratory of Fluorine & Nitrogen Chemicals, Fuzhou University
Zhikang Xu — Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory
Xiaojun Bao — Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory
Haibo Zhu — Fuzhou University; Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory

Corresponding Author

Haibo Zhu
Email: haibo.zhu@fzu.edu.cn
Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Fluorine & Nitrogen Chemicals, Fuzhou University

How to Cite This Article

Hong, H., Xu, Z., Bao, X., & Zhu, H. (2026). Self‑regenerating catalysts for sustainable industrial applications. Catal, 2, 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44422‑026‑00024‑y