Destabilizing alkaline water by 3d-metal (oxy)(hydr)oxides for improved hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Alkaline water electrolysis enables the use of nonprecious metal-based catalysts and therefore holds great promise for large-scale generation of renewable hydrogen fuel, especially when driven by renewable energy sources, such solar and wind. However, the sluggish kinetics of water adsorption and dissociation steps in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) lower its energy conversion efficiency. Recent achievements have proved that 3d -metal (oxy)(hydr)oxides can accelerate these two kinetic processes and thereby improve the activity of diverse HER electrocatalysts from experimental and theoretical points of view. Moreover, a positive role of strong coupling between HER catalysts and 3d -metal (oxy)(hydr)oxides has been discovered recently. In this minireview we provide a compendious introduction to recent progress, including experiments and theory. Remarks on challenges and perspectives in this rapidly developing field are also provided.