Review and Outlook of Graphene-Based Catalysis: Revolutionizing Water Splitting for Sustainable Hydrogen Production

Abstract

The production of sustainable hydrogen energy through water splitting is increasingly recognized as a viable solution to the global energy crisis by leveraging the high gravimetric density and efficiency of hydrogen fuel. This Review focuses on the application of graphene-based catalysts in enhancing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) technology. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are highlighted for their exceptional optoelectronic and physicochemical properties, which enable effective water splitting through photochemical (PWS), electrochemical (EWS), and photoelectrochemical (PEC) pathways. Compared to traditional nonlayered materials, these graphene derivatives significantly reduce thermodynamic barriers, providing increased surface area for catalytic reactions. Carbon-based functionalized GO and rGO derivatives are captivating catalysts that have attracted a lot of attention from scientists, because of their increased surface area, tunable band structure, and faster chemical and mechanical stability, which expose more active areas for H₂ evolution reaction (HER). The organic functional groups on the surface of GO/rGO developed a synergistic interfacial interaction with other catalysts. Therefore, these groups provide GO/rGO-based heterostructured catalysts structural and chemical flexibility, which substantially enhanced the physicochemical parameters that propel their catalytic performance in the course of HER. Thus, graphene-based derivatives constitute potential heterostructured catalysts that demonstrate an advantageous correlation between catalytic efficiency and robustness, leading to the development of a highly efficient and cost-effective catalytic system. By addressing the challenges in catalyst design and performance, this Review elucidates the transformative potential of graphene-based materials in sustainable hydrogen production technology, paving the way for future advancements in energy solutions.