Electronic modulation and interface engineering of electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts toward water splitting

TLDR

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising solution to the energy crisis, but its efficiency depends on reducing kinetic barriers, and electrospun nanomaterials—due to their one‑dimensional structure, high surface area, and flexibility—are attractive candidates. This review surveys recent progress on electrospun nanomaterial‑based electrocatalysts for HER, OER, and overall water splitting. The authors examine how electronic modulation and interface engineering affect electrocatalytic activity, and discuss challenges and opportunities for these materials. These strategies have markedly improved performance, suggesting that electrospun nanomaterials can be fully leveraged for practical energy conversion.

Abstract

Abstract Nowdays, electrocatalytic water splitting has been regarded as one of the most efficient means to approach the urgent energy crisis and environmental issues. However, to speed up the electrocatalytic conversion efficiency of their half reactions including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), electrocatalysts are usually essential to reduce their kinetic energy barriers. Electrospun nanomaterials possess a unique one‐dimensional structure for outstanding electron and mass transportation, large specific surface area, and the possibilities of flexibility with the porous feature, which are good candidates as efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting. In this review, we focus on the recent research progress on the electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts for HER, OER, and overall water splitting reaction. Specifically, the insights of the influence of the electronic modulation and interface engineering of these electrocatalysts on their electrocatalytic activities will be deeply discussed and highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges and development opportunities of the electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts for water splitting are featured. Based on the achievements of the significantly enhanced performance from the electronic modulation and interface engineering of these electrocatalysts, full utilization of these materials for practical energy conversion is anticipated.