Metal-Support Interactions of 2D Carbon-based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

As research on metal catalytic centers and catalyst supports advances, the relationship (metal-support interactions, MSI) between them has garnered significant attention. For 2D carbon materials, inert surface and absence of direct loading sites limited the direct enhancement of catalyst supports. However, further investigation into the optimization and motivation of MSI including doping heteroatoms and functional groups onto carbon surfaces between 2D carbon support and metal active centers, facilitates the uniform dispersion of active metal sites, induces rearrangement of atoms on high-energy crystal planes, and establishes efficient electron pathways to accelerate electron transfer across interfaces, resulting in outstanding HER performance. In this review, the preparation approaches and the effective carbon surface chemical treatment of 2D carbon-based heterogeneous catalysts are presented. Additionally, a thorough analysis of MSI effects including dispersion of metal active sites, establishment of electronic transfer pathways, and lattice strain engineering are discussed in details. Moreover, personal insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with MSI in enhancing HER performance on 2D carbon matrix are also presented.