Reasonably constructed nano-alloyed materials as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Green hydrogen produced through electrochemical water splitting plays an important role in the global mission of carbon neutrality. Electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as an important step in water electrolysis have been the subject of extensive study over the past decades. However, the low efficiency of electrolytic devices, caused by the slow kinetic reaction and the reliance on noble metal catalysts such as Pt, has limited their widespread application. Owing to their excellent conductivity, high stability, and tunable composition, nano-alloyed materials have been extensively studied in the HER. This article starts with an overview of the thermodynamics, kinetics, and pertinent electronic and structural descriptors essential for the HER. Combining the structure–activity relationship of nano-alloys with electrochemical reaction kinetics, the construction principles for nano-alloyed HER electrocatalysts (NAEs) are emphasized. Then, the reasonable construction, mechanistic studies, and performance enhancement of electrocatalysts are deeply discussed based on structure and composition tuning. Finally, challenges and possibilities for reasonable design of highly-efficient NAEs are proposed. This review aims to deepen the understanding of the relationship between structure and electrochemical performance in alloy systems, providing guidance for the design of HER nano-alloyed materials with excellent activity and durability.