Issue 2, 2021

Nanoboxes endow non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts with high efficiency for overall water splitting

Abstract

In order to solve the environmental and energy crises, it is urgent to develop cost-effective and advanced electrocatalysts for efficient overall water splitting. With the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), non-noble-metal-based hollow nanoboxes have become one of the most promising candidate materials for heterogeneous electrocatalysts due to their unique structural features. In this review, we aim at providing an updated summary of the research related to hollow nanobox architectures, covering their classification, advantages, electrocatalytic applications and reaction mechanisms. Following a brief introduction, we review the recent progress in various advanced nanoboxes for electrocatalytic processes in the efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and overall water splitting (OWS). Then, we systemically discuss the relationship among the composition, morphology, structure, and catalytic activity, with an emphasis on the classification of nanoboxes, electrocatalytic performance and reaction mechanism. Later, the structural advantages and compositional merits for advanced electrocatalysis are also presented, including abundant surface active sites, facilitated electron/mass transport, and favorable synergistic effect and electronic effect. Finally, the current challenges, future perspectives, and research directions ahead for non-noble-metal-based nanoboxes as efficient electrocatalysts are also outlined.

Graphical abstract: Nanoboxes endow non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts with high efficiency for overall water splitting

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 Oct 2020
Accepted
30 Nov 2020
First published
08 Dec 2020

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 857-874

Nanoboxes endow non-noble-metal-based electrocatalysts with high efficiency for overall water splitting

C. Wang, H. Shang, H. Xu and Y. Du, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9, 857 DOI: 10.1039/D0TA10596A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements