Recent advances in photo-assisted electrocatalysts for energy conversion

Abstract

Electrocatalysts are essential for the increased use of promising electrochemical energy conversion/storage technologies, where the oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CRR) are intensively involved. Much effort has been devoted to regulating the components, phases, crystallinity, facets, morphology and defects to optimize the electronic structures for improved catalytic activity. However, it is still a great challenge to develop low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts. Recently, photo-assisted electrocatalysis has attracted extensive research interest due to its appealing benefits for the charge transfer, surface electronic structures, and reaction selectivity. It adds a new dimension for electrocatalyst optimization, although it is still in the preliminary stage. A comprehensive and timely review on this specific subject is necessary, aiming to present recent significant achievements and challenges and point out future research directions. In this review, three primary strategies for photo-assisted electrocatalysis are systematically summarized: photo-generated carrier-assisted, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-assisted, and photothermally-assisted electrochemical enhancement. In each part, possible mechanisms are outlined and followed by the most recent advances. Finally, key challenges, as well as possible strategies to address them, are highlighted for the hotly developing field.