Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation: Mechanistic Studies and Material Advances

Abstract

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion through hydrogen is essential for a clean and sustainable energy system. Highly efficient hydrogen electrocatalysts play a key role in the electrochemical transformation reactions. A comprehensive understanding of the hydrogen reaction kinetics and mechanisms is critical for the catalyst design and development. Especially pH-dependent hydrogen evolution and oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) kinetics receives increasing interest, and understanding its origin adds new knowledge to fundamental hydrogen electrocatalysis. Here, a detailed description of kinetic analysis and reaction mechanisms for HER/HOR, and a brief summary about recent development of highly efficient and cost-effective hydrogen electrocatalysts are presented. Lastly, recent advances in the fundamental understanding of pH-dependent hydrogen electrocatalysis are discussed.

Keywords: electrocatalysis; electrolyzers; fuel cells; hydrogen evolution; hydrogen oxidation.