Internal Electric Field Engineering Strategies for Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution Performance

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution represents a pivotal technology for sustainable energy conversion, yet its efficiency is fundamentally limited by rapid charge recombination and sluggish reaction kinetics. This Review highlights internal electric field (IEF) engineering as an innovative strategy to overcome these challenges by rationally designing catalysts at the nanoscale. We systematically discussed how tailored IEFs construction via heterojunctions, doping, surface modification, and strain engineering can dramatically enhance charge separation, transport, and surface redox kinetics in photoelectrocatalysts. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms (e.g., band bending, dipole effects, and interfacial screening), we summarized universal principles for IEF manipulation across diverse materials, including metal oxides, chalcogenides, and 2D heterostructures. Furthermore, we critically evaluate performance breakthroughs in solar-to-hydrogen conversion enabled by IEF optimization. Challenges such as field stability under operational conditions and scalability are addressed, alongside emerging opportunities in machine learning aided design. This work not only provides a guide for next-generation photoelectrocatalysts but also extends IEF strategies to broader energy applications, underscoring their transformative potential in achieving carbon neutrality.

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
23 Jun 2025
Accepted
09 Sep 2025
First published
10 Sep 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Ind. Chem. Mater., 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Internal Electric Field Engineering Strategies for Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution Performance

F. Qiao and B. Li, Ind. Chem. Mater., 2025, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D5IM00112A

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