From fundamentals and theories to heterostructured electrocatalyst design: An in-depth understanding of alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lao, Mengmeng; Li, Peng; Jiang, Yinzhu; Pan, Hongge; Dou, Shi Xue; Sun, Wenping
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 98(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Heterostructure -- Interface chemistry -- Reaction mechanism -- Electrocatalysis; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) feature compelling advantages over the current benchmarking proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). However, the sluggish hydrogen evolution kinetics in alkaline media and its elusive mechanism, greatly impede the practical deployment of AEMWEs. A clear understanding of alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism is a prerequisite to design advanced electrocatalysts for AEMWEs. High-performance alkaline HER electrocatalysts have been extensively reported, but most of these development practices are at the trial-and-error stage. Herein, we contribute an in-depth review of alkaline HER by integrating mechanistic and theoretical understanding of alkaline hydrogen evolution into a series of classical catalyst design cases, with special focus on the critical role of interface chemistry in tailoring the intrinsic activity of platinum group metal-based heterostructured electrocatalysts, aiming to provide a solid guidance for rational design of advanced alkaline HER electrocatalysts for AEMWEs. Graphical Abstract: In this review, a comprehensive knowledge of alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from fundamentals and theories to heterostructured electrocatalyst design is presented. The design strategies of platinum group metal (PGM)-based heterostructured electrocatalysts, with special focus on the critical role of interface chemistry in tailoring the intrinsic alkaline HER activity, are demonstrated. This review would provide a reliable guidance for the rational design of advanced electrocatalysts towards fast alkaline HER kinetics. ga1 Highlights: Knowledge of alkaline HER from fundamentals and theories to atomic-level understanding of reaction mechanism is summarized. Design strategies of PGM-based heterostructured electrocatalysts towards alkaline HER are demonstrated. Future challenges and prospective of understanding alkaline HER and designing advanced electrocatalysts are presented.