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Recent Advances in Transition Metal-Based Catalysts and Strategies for Promoting Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Jian Zhu1, Bing-Xin Lei1, Zhao-Qing Liu2,3
1School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Minzu University, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Structural Materials and Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Engineering Research Center for Advanced Materials and Intelligent Manufacturing, University of Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China.
Developing efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production. This review highlights strategies to enhance transition metal catalysts for alkaline HER, overcoming kinetic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Hydrogen is a key renewable energy carrier, but efficient production via alkaline water electrolysis is hindered by sluggish kinetics.
- The alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) faces challenges due to debated mechanisms and catalyst incompatibility with oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in catalysts for alkaline HER.
- To summarize strategies for improving transition metal catalyst performance through composition and structure engineering.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of state-of-the-art catalysts for alkaline HER.
- Analysis of composition and structure engineering strategies: alloying, doping, heterostructures, single-atom sites, and support effects.
Main Results:
- Identified key strategies to enhance electrocatalytic activity for alkaline HER.
- Highlighted the importance of catalyst design for efficient hydrogen production.
Conclusions:
- Composition and structure engineering are vital for developing high-performance alkaline HER catalysts.
- This review provides insights for future catalyst development in alkaline water electrolysis.
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