Catalysts made of earth-abundant elements (Co, Ni, Fe) for water splitting: Recent progress and future challenges

TLDR

Catalysts are essential for the water reduction and oxidation half‑reactions, and earth‑abundant elements such as Co, Ni, and Fe are especially attractive for economically viable energy conversion. This review surveys recent advances in Co, Ni, and Fe catalysts for water splitting and outlines future perspectives. The article details electrocatalytic and photocatalytic catalyst families and explains their underlying catalytic mechanisms.

Abstract

This article reviews recent significant advances in the field of water splitting. Catalysts play very important roles in two half reactions of water splitting - water reduction and water oxidation. Considering potential future applications, catalysts made of cheap and earth abundant element(s) are especially important for economically viable energy conversion. This article focuses only on catalysts made of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) elements for water reduction and water oxidation. Different series of catalysts that can be applied in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water spitting are discussed in detail and their catalytic mechanisms are introduced. Finally, the future outlook and perspective of catalysts made of earth abundant elements will be discussed.