Open AccessStrategies for Electrochemically Sustainable H 2 Production in Acid
Author(s) -
Hou Yuxi,
Lv Jiangquan,
Quan Weiwei,
Lin Yingbin,
Hong Zhensheng,
Huang Yiyin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202104916
Subject(s) - electrolysis , anode , decoupling (probability) , electrolysis of water , electrochemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , homogeneous , materials science , process engineering , nanotechnology , computer science , biochemical engineering , environmental science , electrode , chemistry , engineering , telecommunications , physics , control engineering , electrolyte , thermodynamics
Acidified water electrolysis with fast kinetics is widely regarded as a promising option for producing H 2 . The main challenge of this technique is the difficulty in realizing sustainable H 2 production (SHP) because of the poor stability of most electrode catalysts, especially on the anode side, under strongly acidic and highly polarized electrochemical environments, which leads to surface corrosion and performance degradation. Research efforts focused on tuning the atomic/nano structures of catalysts have been made to address this stability issue, with only limited effectiveness because of inevitable catalyst degradation. A systems approach considering reaction types and system configurations/operations may provide innovative viewpoints and strategies for SHP, although these aspects have been overlooked thus far. This review provides an overview of acidified water electrolysis for systematic investigations of these aspects to achieve SHP. First, the fundamental principles of SHP are discussed. Then, recent advances on design of stable electrode materials are examined, and several new strategies for SHP are proposed, including fabrication of symmetrical heterogeneous electrolysis system and fluid homogeneous electrolysis system, as well as decoupling/hybrid‐governed sustainability. Finally, remaining challenges and corresponding opportunities are outlined to stimulate endeavors toward the development of advanced acidified water electrolysis techniques for SHP.