Fabricating advanced functional materials for Hydrogen evolution reaction applications

Abstract

Nano-engineering advanced functional materials for hydrogen evolution reaction via overall water splitting is an emerging area that is currently the epicentre for producing green hydrogen as a sustainable energy resource. HER is one-half of the water-splitting process (the other being the oxygen evolution reaction, and demands the surface of the catalytic system to lower the activation energy of the OWS process. Fabricating the highly active catalysts involves the development of nanostructured, multi-metallic, and heterostructured catalysts with a focus on improving catalytic efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Bottom-up approaches such as hydrothermal synthesis, sol-gel route, chemical vapor deposition, and reverse-micellar methods are key in producing materials with high surface areas, well-exposed active sites, and facilitated electron transfer capabilities. Herein, we have categorized the different next-generation catalytic systems employed for HER applications based on their classes, synthetic routes, and performance during OWS. We have also given a precise understanding of the role of advanced functional nanomaterials in hydrogen storage applications. We believe this article will provide conceptual guidance to the researchers aiming to contribute to energy conversion applications.