Dual-Metal Catalysts for Promoting Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

Abstract

Electrocatalytic water splitting, as a key clean energy technology, enables sustainable hydrogen production and plays a critical role in the global energy transition and the path to carbon neutrality. In this context, dual-metal catalysts (DMCs) have emerged as a major research focus in electrocatalytic water splitting. Their distinct structural and electronic properties allow them to surpass the limitations of single-metal catalysts, providing a more abundant supply of active sites, improved electronic modulation, and faster reaction kinetics. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in DMCs, which capitalize on unique synergistic effects to advance electrocatalytic water splitting. It begins by classifying synthesis strategies for two primary DMCs architectures: dual-atom catalysts and dual-metal nanocatalysts. The discussion then details their superior performance in hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and overall water splitting, highlighting enhanced activity and stability. Furthermore, this review highlights that the superior performance of DMCs stems from dual-metal synergy. This synergy enables precise electronic structure modulation and/or creates unique tandem catalysis mechanisms, which collectively contribute to significantly lowered reaction energy barriers and optimized pathways in water splitting. This work presents a comprehensive overview of DMCs in electrocatalytic water splitting, offering a systematic presentation of both synthesis methods and the mechanisms underlying their superior performance. The insights presented herein aim to direct future research toward the development of high-performance, cost-effective catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting.