Interface engineering of transition-metal-based electrocatalysts for alkaline water splitting

Abstract

As global fossil fuel reserves diminish and environmental concerns escalate, the quest for sustainable alternative energy sources has become increasingly urgent. Among various methods for hydrogen production, water electrolysis stands out as a promising approach due to its efficiency and environmental compatibility. However, the high overpotential inherent in this process necessitates additional energy input, thereby compromising overall energy conversion efficiency. Non-precious transition metals such as iron, cobalt, and nickel have emerged as attractive candidates for electrocatalysis owing to their abundant supply and diverse structural compositions. Nevertheless, their inherent challenges including low conductivity, limited catalytic activity, and a restricted number of active surface sites pose significant barriers to their widespread applications. This review focuses on the utilization of transition metal nanomaterials and employs interface engineering strategies to construct heterointerfaces, aimed at mitigating these intrinsic limitations and enhancing electrocatalytic performance. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the surface and interface effects that dictate the electrocatalytic properties of these catalysts. Types of interface structures are also categorized and introduced. Furthermore, the progress achieved in heterostructure design through interfacial component coupling effects is comprehensively summarized. Finally, in light of current advancements and applications in interface engineering strategies, the review discusses the challenges associated with future heterostructure catalysts and proposes potential solutions.