Interfacial engineering in heterostructured electrocatalysts: electronic, strain, and synergistic modulation for enhanced hydrogen evolution

Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a critical half-reaction in electrochemical water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production. Heterostructured electrocatalysts, which integrate two or more distinct material phases, have emerged as promising, cost-effective alternatives to platinum-based catalysts. Their enhanced performance is primarily attributed to tunable interfacial properties, including modulated electronic structures, induced lattice strain, and synergistic interactions between components. This minireview first delineates the fundamental principles and advantages of heterojunction catalysts for the HER, grounded in the Sabatier principle and volcano plot theory. We then provide a systematic analysis of how deliberate interface engineering—through electronic, strain, and synergistic effects—regulates the adsorption energetics of reaction intermediates and accelerates reaction kinetics. Finally, we discuss current challenges and present forward-looking perspectives on the rational design of high-performance heterostructured electrocatalysts, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial-scale application.