Tungsten Carbide‐Based Materials for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: A Review

Abstract

Hydrogen has garnered considerable attention as an environmentally friendly due to its sustainability and exceptional energy density, surpassing other chemical fuels. For H2 production, electrochemical water splitting is an economically viable and eco‐friendly method. Developing well‐organized electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is pivotal in enabling long‐term hydrogen production, the critical component in the transition toward a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable energy landscape. During the last decades, to aid in oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions, numerous tungsten carbide‐based electrocatalysts have been established. WC developed as a promising candidate for electrolytic hydrogen generation. This review first explores the historical background and fundamental mechanisms underlying water splitting and subsequently investigates the field of WC‐based electrocatalysts. Furthermore, in both HER and OER, the thorough analysis examines the electrocatalytic performance of electrocatalysts based on WC. Finally, it discusses the challenges and prospects of developing WC‐based electrocatalysts for OER and HER, shedding light on their potential contributions to the sustainable energy landscape.