A perspective on interface engineering of transition metal dichalcogenides for high-current-density hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Water electrolysis for green hydrogen production is important for the global carbon neutrality. The industrialization of this technology requires efficient and durable electrocatalysts under high-current-density (HCD) operations. However, the insufficient mass and charge transfer at the various interfaces lead to unsatisfactory HCD activity and durability. Interface engineering is important for designing efficient HCD electrocatalysts. In this perspective, we analyze the processes taking place at three interfaces including the catalyst-substrate, catalyst-electrolyte, and catalyst-gas interfaces, and reveal the correlations between interface interactions and the challenges for HCD electrolysis. We then highlight the development of HCD electrocatalysts that focus on interface engineering using the example of transition metal dichalcogenide based catalysts, which have attracted widespread interests in recent years. Finally, we give an outlook on the development of interface engineering for the industrialization of water electrolysis technology.