Defects in Carbon-Based Materials for Electrocatalysis: Synthesis, Recognition, and Advances

Area of Science:

• Sustainable energy and electrocatalysis research.
• Focus on carbon-based metal-free catalysts (CMFCs).

Background:

• Climate change necessitates sustainable energy solutions.
• Precious metal catalysts (e.g., Pt, Ir) limit practical applications in electrocatalysis.
• Need for high-performance, low-cost electrocatalysts for green hydrogen technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present defect theory for designing defective carbon-based materials (DCMs).
• To summarize defect engineering strategies for high-activity DCMs.
• To emphasize the link between defect structures and electrochemical performance.

Main Methods:

• Defect theory application in material design.
• Summarizing defect engineering strategies.
• Categorizing defect modulation approaches.
• Utilizing advanced characterization techniques to identify defects.

Main Results:

• Defect engineering enables the design of DCMs with high electrochemical activity.
• Established a widely accepted defect catalysis mechanism.
• Demonstrated the conjunction between defect structures and electrochemical performances.

Conclusions:

• Defective carbon-based materials offer a promising, low-cost alternative to precious metal electrocatalysts.
• Further research in defect engineering can accelerate sustainable energy infrastructure deployment.
• Advanced characterization is key to understanding and optimizing defect sites.