Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2024, Vol. 64: 4-31.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60105-1

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Perfecting HER catalysts via defects: Recent advances and perspectives

Chengguang Langa, Yantong Xua, Xiangdong Yaoa,b,*()   

  1. aSchool of Advanced Energy and IGCME, Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
    bChemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Shantou 515063, Guangdong, China
  • Received:2024-02-22 Accepted:2024-07-15 Online:2024-09-18 Published:2024-09-19
  • Contact: * E-mail: yaoxd3@mail.sysu.edu.cn (X. Yao).
  • About author:Xiangdong Yao is a full professor at Sun Yat-sen University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Queensland (Australia) in 2005 and was awarded ARC Postdoctoral Fellow and Australian Research Fellow after joining the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials at the University of Queensland since 2003. In 2009, he moved to Griffith University as an Associate Professor then was promoted to a full professor as the group leader of Advanced Energy Materials. His group initiated the concept of defect electrocatalysis and pioneered the systematic research of this field. In 2022, Professor Xiangdong Yao joined Sun Yat-sen University, where his research focuses on energy materials and technologies, particularly in the areas of hydrogen energy and catalysis.

Abstract:

Defect engineering has become a promising approach to improve the performance of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. Non-noble transition metal-based catalysts (TMCs) have shown significant promise as effective alternatives to traditional platinum-group catalysts, attracting considerable attention. However, the industrial application of TMCs in electrocatalytic hydrogen production necessitates further optimization to boost both catalytic activity and stability. This review comprehensively examines the types, fabrication methods, and characterization techniques of various defects that enhance catalytic HER activity. Key advancements include optimizing defect concentration and distribution, coupling heteroatoms with vacancies, and leveraging the synergy between bond lengths and defects. In-depth discussions highlight the electronic structure and catalytic mechanisms elucidated through in-situ characterization and density functional theory calculations. Additionally, future directions are identified, exploring novel defect types, emphasizing precision synthesis methods, industrial-scale preparation techniques, and strategies to enhance structural stability and understanding the in-depth catalytic mechanism. This review aims to inspire further research and development in defect-engineered HER catalysts, providing pathways for high efficiency and cost-effectiveness in hydrogen production.

Key words: Defect, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Catalytic mechanism, Synergistic catalysis, Transition metal-based catalyst