A review of carbon-based catalysts and catalyst supports for simultaneous organic electro-oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions

Producing organic electro-oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) simultaneously in an electrolytic cell is an appealing method for generating valuable chemicals at the anode while also producing H₂ at the cathode. Within this framework, the task of designing energy-saving electrocatalysts with high selectivity and stability is a considerable challenge. Carbon-based catalysts, along with their supports, have emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse sources, large specific surface area, high porosity and multidimensional characteristics. This review summarizes progress from 2012 to 2022, in the use of carbon-based catalysts and their supports for organic electrooxidation and HER. It delves into outer-sphere electrooxidation mechanisms involving molecule-mediated oxidation and oxidative radical coupling reactions, as well as inner-sphere electrooxidation mechanisms, encompassing both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The review also explores prospective research directions within this domain, addressing various aspects such as the design of electrocatalytic materials, the study of the relationship between the structure and properties of electrocatalysts, as well as examining their potential industrial applications.