Recent Progress of Transition Metal Compounds as Electrocatalysts for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

Abstract

Hydrogen has enormous commercial potential as a secondary energy source because of its high calorific value, clean combustion byproducts, and multiple production methods. Electrocatalytic water splitting is a viable alternative to the conventional methane steam reforming technique, as it operates under mild conditions, produces high‐quality hydrogen, and has a sustainable production process that requires less energy. Electrocatalysts composed of precious metals like Pt, Au, Ru, and Ag are commonly used in the investigation of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Nevertheless, their limited availability and expensive cost restrict practical use. In contrast, electrocatalysts that do not contain precious metals are readily available, cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and possess electrocatalytic performance equal to that of noble metals. However, considerable research effort must be devoted to create cost‐effective and high‐performing catalysts. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the reaction mechanism involved in electrocatalytic water splitting in both acidic and basic environments. Additionally, recent breakthroughs in catalysts for both the hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions are also discussed. The structure‐activity relationship of the catalyst was deep‐going discussed, together with the prospects of current obstacles and potential for electrocatalytic water splitting, aiming at provide valuable perspectives for the advancement of economical and efficient electrocatalysts on an industrial scale.

High-valent iron single-atom catalysts for improved overall water splitting via a reduced energy barrier and stabilization of the active center

“…The design of efficient electrocatalytic materials is a key to lowering energy consumption. 6 To increase the specific activities of the underlying electrocatalysts, one needs to consider improving the surface/interface reactive properties, reducing the size of the electrocatalysts to increase the accessible number of active sites, and stabilization of the active centres. 7,8 Despite the substantial advancements made with non-precious catalysts, 9,10 platinum (Pt)-, iridium (Ir)- and ruthenium (Ru)-based materials are considered to be the most effective catalysts for electrochemical green-hydrogen generation.…”

An eco-friendly route for green synthesis of ZnO-CoFe2O4 nanoparticles from cardamom and ginger extract as an efficient electrochemical catalyst for water oxidation

“…Nonetheless, the precious metals' expensiveness and their scarceness are major reasons for water splitting limitations on an industrial scale. Thus, the investigation of non-precious options with sufficient activity and stability is imperative [13][14][15] . Spinel ferrites-based compounds as cobalt ferrite nanostructures have various utilities in information storage and electronic devices [16,17] , drug delivery [18] , biological [19] , and environmental [20] owing to the essential properties like inexpensiveness, mechanical hardness, excellent stability, acceptable curie temperature and high magnetic anisotropy.…”