Journal of Inorganic Materials

   

Research Progress on Mott-Schottky Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts Based on Metal/Transition Metal Compounds

REN Xianpei1, LI Chao1, HU Qiwei1, XIANG Hui1, PENG Yuehong2   

  1. 1. School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, China;
    2. School of Physics, Electronical and Engineering, Chuxiong Normal University, Chuxiong 675000, China
  • Received:2025-03-25 Revised:2025-06-12
  • About author:REN Xianpei(1982-), male, PhD, associate professor. E-mail: renxianpei@163.com
  • Supported by:
    The Scientific Research and Innovation Team Program of Sichuan University of Science and Engineering (SUSE652B004, 2024RC13); The Special Basic Cooperative Research Programs of Yunnan Provincial Undergraduate Universities Association (202101BA070001-085)

Abstract: Hydrogen energy as an ideal energy carrier holds significant importance for promoting the transformation of energy structures. Electrolytic water splitting technology is crucial to achieve large-scale hydrogen production. The hydrogen evolution activity, stability, and cost of electrocatalysts are the key factors for its development. Transition metal compounds (TMCs) become popular candidates to replace noble-metal catalysts due to their low costs, abundant resources, and tunable electronic structures. Mott-Schottky (M-S) junctions, constructed between transition metal compound semiconductors and metals, was considered to be an effective strategy to enhance catalytic activity. This review summarizes the research progress of metal/TMCs M-S junction catalysts, including their classification (metal/oxides, sulfides, selenides, phosphides, and nitrides, etc.), construction strategies (hydrothermal methods, in-situ reduction, and phosphidation treatments, etc.), and enhancement mechanisms. Research findings indicate that the M-S junction optimizes the electronic structure and hydrogen adsorption free energy through interfacial charge rearrangement and the formation of built-in electric fields, thereby promoting charge separation and transfer and significantly enhancing hydrogen evolution activity. In addition, the review discusses the key issues that still need in-depth exploration and clarification regarding M-S junction catalysts, and provides an outlook on future research directions and development trends. It aims to offer theoretical guidance for the design of efficient and cost-effective hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts and to promote the sustainable development of hydrogen energy technology.

Key words: transition metal compounds, Mott-Schottky junction, catalysts, hydrogen evolution reaction, review

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