Designing Self-Supported Electrocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting: Surface/Interface Engineering toward...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrochemical water splitting is key for storing renewable electricity as hydrogen fuel.
• The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exhibit sluggish kinetics at the triple-phase interface, posing a challenge.
• Self-supported electrocatalysts offer improved efficiency due to regulated catalyst/substrate interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review state-of-the-art achievements in self-supported electrocatalysts for HER and OER.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of surface and interface engineering for enhanced catalytic activity.
• To provide insights into rational catalyst design for efficient water splitting.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of surface and interface engineering strategies for electrocatalyst design.
• Analysis of six key engineering approaches: defect, morphology, crystallographic tailoring, heterostructure, catalyst/substrate interface, and catalyst/electrolyte interface engineering.
• Evaluation of self-supported electrocatalysts for HER/OER performance.

Main Results:

• Surface and interface engineering strategies are effective in boosting the performance of self-supported electrocatalysts for water splitting.
• Various engineering approaches, including defect and heterostructure design, show significant potential.
• Regulated catalyst/substrate interfaces in self-supported catalysts contribute to high efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Self-supported electrocatalysts, optimized through surface and interface engineering, are crucial for efficient HER/OER.
• Rational catalyst design incorporating defect, morphology, and interface strategies can overcome kinetic limitations.
• Future research should focus on developing highly active and durable electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.