Transition Metal Selenides for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Electrolysis of water is regarded as an attractive and feasible way for producing hydrogen. So far, various non‐noble metal nanomaterials have been reported as excellent electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. Especially, due to the low cost, earth‐abundance and tunable properties, transition metal selenides with different compositions, sizes and structures have been explored broadly as efficient catalysts with the relatively high activities, high stabilities and high efficiencies in full pH range of electrolyte for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. Thus, in this Minireview, after introducing several commonly used electrochemical terms about hydrogen evolution reaction, we mainly focus on various kinds of the transition metal selenides that have been documented as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction. Particularly, the merits and demerits of transition metal selenides for hydrogen evolution reaction are systematically discussed. Moreover, we also analyze the encountered challenges and present an outlook for the rapid development of transition metal selenides. We hope this Minireview can bring some fundamental understanding for the readers interested in the transition metal selenides and hydrogen evolution reaction.

Metal‐Rich Chalcogenides for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: Activity of Electrodes and Bulk Materials

“…Further increasing the metallic character of the Ni 3 S 2 system by substitution of sulfur for the higher homologues like Se likewise yields very active electrode systems with an apparent higher conductivity . A Ni 3 Se 2 nanoforest electrode on Ni‐foam for example revealed an overpotential of =203 mV .…”

Critical Review, Recent Updates on Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) and Its Derivatives for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…Transition metal selenides (TMSes) share structural similarities with their sulfide counterparts. [ 309 ] Moreover, due to the metallic character of Se, TMSes possess better electrical conductivity than corresponding sulfides. [ 309,310 ] For example, compared to MoS 2 , MoSe 2 is a better conductor of electricity.…”

NiSe2/FeSe2 heterostructured nanoparticles supported on rGO for efficient water electrolysis

“…22 In addition, they are least susceptible to being oxidized in any corrosive conditions as compared with noble metals and other materials (oxides and hydroxides). 23,24 Carbonaceous materials have the ability to improve the catalytic activity by increasing the electron transfer rate, because carbon channels play a vital role in tuning electronic structures. 25 The overall electrocatalytic water splitting activity can be further enhanced by designing porous nanostructures and hybridizing with various carbon-based materials or suitable substrates.…”