An inclusive review and perspective on Cu-based materials for electrochemical water splitting

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in developing green and renewable alternate energy sources as a solution to the energy and environmental problems produced by conventional fossil fuel use.

Highly Efficient and Low-Cost CuFeCN as an OER and HER Electrocatalyst for Sustainable Hydrogen Production

“…This made it difficult for the researchers to specify the kinetics and offer a subsequent energy description when anchoring electroactive species. 32 Herein, we developed a facile, efficient, inexpensive, and easily synthesizable route to develop a Cu-doped ferricyanide electrocatalyst that serves as a superior and long-lasting bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting. Outstanding electrocatalytic activity and long-term durability are displayed by the produced electrocatalyst coated on a nickel foam electrode Cu@FeCN.…”

“…The copper-based electrocatalysts are restricted due to the low ionic conductivity of the surface. This made it difficult for the researchers to specify the kinetics and offer a subsequent energy description when anchoring electroactive species …”

Heterostructured 2D material-based electro-/photo-catalysts for water splitting

“…56,57 Noble metals, particularly Pt group metals (PGMs) such as Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir, and Rh, show a nearly zero Gibbs free energy (DG H* ) and low overpotential for HER; however, the scarcity and high cost of PGMs limits their large-scale applications. [58][59][60] In fact, PGMfree or low-PGM electrocatalysts have been explored as alternatives to Pt-based catalysts. [61][62][63] Additionally, the production of noble metal-based catalysts is energy intensive, and their disposal can cause environmental problems.…”

Amorphous Fe/Co-based tannic acid salts as robust oxygen evolution pre-catalysts

“…To date, few bimetal-based tannic acid salts as OER pre-catalysts have been reported. 46 Tannic acid salts containing both Co and Fe sites at the same time would show higher electrocatalytic performance when acting as the pre-catalyst due to the unique chemical environment of the metal sites and the interactions between them. Especially, the reconstruction behaviour of the tannic acid salts during the catalysis process and the performance index are still not clear.…”