Research on Electrocatalytic Materials for Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Evolution

Dear Colleagues,

Energy and the climate are two critical global challenges. Searching for alternative energy sources that are clean and renewable to replace conventional fossil fuels is in urgent demand. Hydrogen is an energy carrier with the highest gravimetric energy density that can be used to store and re-deliver energy. Additionally, hydrogen is a clean fuel with only water as the product when consumed. The commonly used approach for scalable hydrogen generation is natural gas reforming, which not only requires large capital investment in infrastructure and transportation but also drives carbon emissions. In another approach, water molecules can be split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. That is a promising option for carbon-free hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy resources. To ignite this thermodynamically unfavorable reaction, catalysts are vital to lowering the energy barrier, accelerate the reaction rate, and increase conversion efficiency. In this scenario, developing advanced but cost-efficient electrocatalysts has been one long-term target, but still remains a grand challenge.

This Special Issue reports recent advances in electrocatalytic materials for hydrogen and oxygen evolutions, aiming to shed light on the rational design of electrocatalysts and advance material adventure in this field. A broad range of topics from fundamental to applied, from experimental to theoretical will be covered. Reviews, perspectives, communications, and original research articles all related to hydrogen evolution are welcome. Topics of particular interest to this Special Issue include, but are not limited to,

(i) Design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of advanced electrocatalysts for either HER or OER.

(ii) Multifunctional electrocatalysts are active for both HER and OER toward overall water splitting.

(iii) Advanced in situ and ex situ characterization and testing methodologies.

(iv) Discussion of underlying reaction mechanisms.

(v) Theoretical calculations and predictions for new electrocatalysts.

(vi) Photocatalytic water splitting.

(vii) Photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Dr. Jiangtian Li
Dr. Deryn Chu
Guest Editors

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