Recent Advances in Complex Hollow Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2022-02, Vol.32 (6), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Wang, Yi Zhong, Yang, Min, Ding, Yi‐Ming, Li, Nian‐Wu, Yu, Le
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charge transport; complex hollow nanostructures; composition regulation; Electrocatalysts; Functional materials; Hydrogen production; Materials science; Oxygen evolution reactions; Reaction mechanisms; Renewable energy sources; structural modulation; Water splitting
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202108681

Electrochemical water splitting powered by renewable energy sources has been considered as an attractive hydrogen generation technology with high‐purity product and zero carbon emission. However, the efficient realization of large‐scale water splitting is severely hampered by the sluggish hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER). As an important class of functional materials, complex hollow electrocatalysts provide promising solutions to accelerate the HER/OER kinetics owing to their advantageous features, such as abundant exposed active sites, increased contact area between catalysts and electrolyte, and shortened mass/charge transport length. Herein, the recent advances in the development of complex hollow electrocatalysts and their outstanding performances in water splitting are summarized. Beginning with the introduction of reaction mechanisms and design principles, achievements in engineering complex hollow HER/OER electrocatalysts are highlighted with the focus on structural modulation, composition control, and electrocatalytic evaluation. Finally, some present challenges and future perspectives for advanced complex hollow electrocatalysts toward water splitting are further discussed. Complex hollow nanostructures have attracted considerable interest in energy applications. In addition, the available component regulation could endow them with a further improved intrinsic activity. Herein, the recent progress in the design of micro‐/nanostructured hollow structures for water splitting is discussed according to the regulatory strategies of geometrical structure control and composition control. Some emergent opportunities and perspectives on the future research trends of hollow structures are also proposed.