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Water Splitting as an Alternative for Electrochemical Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation: Current Status, Trends, and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Nihat Ege Sahin

    (Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Abogade 40, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • W. J. Pech-Rodríguez

    (Department of Mechatronics, Polytechnic University of Victoria, Ciudad Victoria 87138, Mexico)

  • P. C. Meléndez-González

    (Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico)

  • Juan Lopez Hernández

    (Department of Engineering Master Program, Polytechnic University of Victoria, Ciudad Victoria 87138, Mexico)

  • E. Rocha-Rangel

    (Department of Engineering Master Program, Polytechnic University of Victoria, Ciudad Victoria 87138, Mexico)

Abstract

Water splitting technology is an innovative strategy to face the dependency on fossil fuels and, at the same time, address environmental pollution issues. Electrocatalysts seem to be the better option to improve water separation efficiency and satisfy the commercial-scale demand for hydrogen. Therefore, the design and fabrication of heterostructures with a high affinity for achieving water splitting have been proposed. In this review, the application of several electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions is presented and discussed in detail. A review of the recent advances in water separation using noble metals such as Pt-, Ir-, and Ru-based electrodes is presented, followed by a highlighting of the current trends in noble-metal-free electrocatalysts and novel preparation methods. Furthermore, it contemplates some results of a hybrid organic molecule–water electrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting. This review intends to give insight into the main trends in water splitting and the barriers that need to be overcome to further boost the efficiency of the main hydrogen and oxygen generation systems that ultimately result in large-scale applications. Finally, future challenges and perspectives are addressed, considering all the novelties and the proposed pathways for water splitting.

Suggested Citation

  • Nihat Ege Sahin & W. J. Pech-Rodríguez & P. C. Meléndez-González & Juan Lopez Hernández & E. Rocha-Rangel, 2023. "Water Splitting as an Alternative for Electrochemical Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation: Current Status, Trends, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:13:p:5078-:d:1184032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Yichao Lin & Ziqi Tian & Linjuan Zhang & Jingyuan Ma & Zheng Jiang & Benjamin J. Deibert & Ruixiang Ge & Liang Chen, 2019. "Chromium-ruthenium oxide solid solution electrocatalyst for highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction in acidic media," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Daming Zhao & Yiqing Wang & Chung-Li Dong & Yu-Cheng Huang & Jie Chen & Fei Xue & Shaohua Shen & Liejin Guo, 2021. "Boron-doped nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride-based Z-scheme heterostructures for photocatalytic overall water splitting," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(4), pages 388-397, April.
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