Earth abundant materials beyond transition metal dichalcogenides: A focus on electrocatalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 58; pp. 244 - 276
• Main Authors: Yu, Peng, Wang, Fengmei, Shifa, Tofik Ahmed, Zhan, Xueying, Lou, Xiaoding, Xia, Fan, He, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Earth-abundant materials; Electrocatalysis; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Electrocatalysis; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Earth-abundant materials
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.017

The depletion of the unsustainable fossil fuels drives the exploration of renewable and clean energy. Hydrogen gas, as the potential alternative for the future energy supply, is now considered as the primary choice. Recently, with the assistance of the non-noble metal based compounds, electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution has aroused tremendous attention. In particular, earth abundant materials beyond transition metal dichalcogenides, such as transition metal phosphides, carbides, nitrides, demonstrate highly active and efficient activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under different conditions. In this review, focused on these materials, we systemically discuss their recent development in electrocatalytic hydrogen generation. The synthesis routes utilized to prepare superior and specific catalyst are highlighted. Then, we provide insight into the characterization and electrochemical performance of these materials as HER electrocatalysts. In the end, the challenges of these materials, important issues about studying eletablctrocatalysts and future perspectives are stressed. [Display omitted] The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising prerequisite for the future hydrogen economy. To minimize energy consumption, the efficient and robust electrocatalysts are indeed required. As the potential alternatives to replace precious metal electrocatalysts, earth abundant compounds have received enormous attention due to their low cost and high reactivity. In this review, we systemically summarize their recent development in electrocatalytic hydrogen generation to quickly understand the current status and design the state-of-the-art catalysts. •Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has been one of the most thoroughly studied electrochemical reactions. Its mechanism and evaluation parameters contribute to the design of efficient electrocatalyst.•Significant breakthrough has been achieved on the exploration of earth-abundant HER electrocatalysts beyond transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs).•Based on the recent progress in this field, a comprehensive summary was finished to quickly understand the current status and design novel materials.