Recent Advances of Transition Metal Basic Salts for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Overall Water Electrolysis

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been recognized as the bottleneck of overall water splitting, which is a promising approach for sustainable production of H2. Transition metal (TM) hydroxides are the most conventional and classical non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts for OER, while TM basic salts [M2+(OH)2-x(Am−)x/m, A = CO32−, NO3−, F−, Cl−] consisting of OH− and another anion have drawn extensive research interest due to its higher catalytic activity in the past decade. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of TM basic salts and their application in OER and further overall water splitting. We categorize TM basic salt-based OER pre-catalysts into four types (CO32−, NO3−, F−, Cl−) according to the anion, which is a key factor for their outstanding performance towards OER. We highlight experimental and theoretical methods for understanding the structure evolution during OER and the effect of anion on catalytic performance. To develop bifunctional TM basic salts as catalyst for the practical electrolysis application, we also review the present strategies for enhancing its hydrogen evolution reaction activity and thereby improving its overall water splitting performance. Finally, we conclude this review with a summary and perspective about the remaining challenges and future opportunities of TM basic salts as catalysts for water electrolysis.

High‐Efficiency Oxygen Evolution Reaction: Controllable Reconstruction of Surface Interface

“…Fossil fuels are the main source of energy for industry, agriculture, and production with life. [1][2][3][4] However, the limited resources of the earth and the environmental pollution caused by the use of the process have put people under pressure. [5][6][7] For this reason, people urgently need to find a green, clean, and sustainable resource to replace fossil fuels.…”

Core–shell construction of metal@carbon by mechanochemically recycling plastic wastes: towards an efficient oxygen evolution reaction

“…Recently, non-precious 3d-transition metal Fe/Ni/Co/Mnbased electrocatalysts [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] have received considerable attention as low-cost, rich reserve, highly active and durable alkaline OER electrocatalysts. Materials scientists have focused on optimizing the OER performance through element doping, 15 heterojunction/complex construction, [16][17][18] morphology design, 19,20 electronic structure control and interface engineering. 21 However, the poor conductivity of transition metal oxides hinders charge transfer, often resulting in low catalytic efficiency.…”

Symmetry or asymmetry: which one is the platform of nitrogen vacancies for alkaline hydrogen evolution

“…Transition-metal-based materials, including single atom, 18 basic salts, 19 sulfides, 20,21 selenides, 22,23 phosphides, 24 carbides, 25 and nitrides, 26 are currently utilized to catalyze water splitting. Among these, transition metal nitrides (TMNs), such as Co 4 N and Fe 2 N, are considered a promising family of HER electrocatalysts due to their high conductivities and corrosion resistance.…”