Recent advances in selected nanostructured electroactive materials for electrochemical water splitting

Sustainable renewable energy sources play significant role to encounter the unpredictable effects of climate change and energy deficit. Renewable energy holds great potential to mitigate environmental pollution issue brought on by the combustion of fossil fuels. Hydrogen (H₂) is a clean energy storage and carrier medium that can provide the highest energy density (142 kJ/g) without carbon emissions. Water splitting is a viable method to produce hydrogen (H₂) gas. This approach involves two important electrochemical processes: hydrogen evolution reaction at cathode and oxygen evolution reaction at anode. Water splitting towards hydrogen is highly energetic and requires efficient catalysts. Recently, nanostructured electroactive materials have attracted research attention due to their morphology, composition, and accessible active sites. Several nanostructured materials have been reported as promising catalysts and electrode materials in electrochemical water splitting. Even though water splitting with the use of nanomaterials is progressing, there are still drawbacks, including low stability, high cost, low durability, and insufficient efficiency. Therefore, the area is open for further investigation in synthesis and utilization of nanostructured electroactive materials with enhanced rate of charge transfer, reasonable bandgap and extended stability. Finally, the review highlighted challenges and future perspectives on the potential of electroactive nanomaterials for hydrogen production.

Graphical Abstract