Recent advances in nanocatalysis for clean energy and carbon neutral applications

Traditional fossil fuels serve as the mainstay of global energy consumption, comprising more than 85 % of the overall share. The reliance on fossil fuels unveils a range of challenges, such as limited resources, increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and the intensification of the greenhouse effect. The concept of “carbon neutrality” has been introduced to tackle this issue. Carbon neutrality involves maintaining a balance between the rate at which CO₂ is emitted and the rate at which it is removed from the atmosphere and effectively addressing the impacts of global warming. However, the main obstacle that hampers the commercialization of these technologies is their limited efficiency. The advancement of nanocatalysts with exceptional efficiency, affordability, and durability can significantly aid in streamlining this process. In recent decades, scientists and researchers worldwide have made significant progress in developing advanced catalysts for energy conversion and storage technologies to optimize the designs and enhance the performance of these catalysts. This review delves into the latest developments in advanced energy materials employed for nanocatalysis in electrochemical water splitting reactions, having a specific emphasis on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), ammonia production, and other value-added fuels. The review places significant emphasis on these materials’ operational methods and effectiveness. We provide a crisp overview of the critical challenges that must be tackled to enable the forthcoming wave of advancements in nanocatalysis. We also focused on the imperative to develop carbon–neutral objectives in the foreseeable future.