Carbon-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

In the pursuit of clean and sustainable hydrogen energy production, water splitting has emerged as a promising method. However, the cost and scarcity of Pt-group metals as effective electrocatalysts hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) poses challenges for widespread application. Transition metal compounds have shown potential as alternatives, the search for highly active HER catalysts from abundant and cost-effective materials persists. Carbon-based compounds offer an appealing solution, leveraging their unique hybridization properties for tailored manipulation of structures and morphologies. By enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of carbon-based catalysts through the incorporation of transition metal nanoparticles and nonmetal doping into the carbon skeleton, new active sites for HER can be generated. This review aims to explore the activity, durability, and efficiency of various electrocatalysts for water splitting, with a particular emphasis on non-noble-metal-based and metal-free electrocatalysts. By highlighting the recent progress in carbonaceous materials for hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline media, the review seeks to provide insights into new strategies and opportunities for enhancing electrocatalytic performance and stability. Ultimately, the goal is to empower ongoing research efforts, stimulate innovation, and overcome existing limitations for hydrogen energy production.