Advances in electrocatalyst development for hydrogen production by water electrolysis

Abstract Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a clean, sustainable energy carrier with the potential to play a pivotal role in future energy systems. Among the various methods for hydrogen production, water electrolysis stands out for its ability to generate highly pure hydrogen in an environmentally sustainable manner. The development of efficient electrocatalysts is critical for enhancing the performance of water electrolysis, particularly in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). While precious metals like Ag, Au, Ru, and Pt have been traditionally used due to their high catalytic activity, their high cost and scarcity limit their widespread use. Recent research has focused on non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts, which offer comparable catalytic efficiency, lower cost, and greater environmental friendliness. These alternatives have the potential to replace expensive noble metals in water electrolysis, but further research and innovation are required to improve their performance and long-term stability. This work examines the advancements in electrocatalyst development for three major electrolysis techniques – alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME), and solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) – and discusses the challenges and future directions for optimizing these technologies for large-scale hydrogen production.