Chapter 18 - Future prospects of oxide-free materials for energy-related applications

Abstract

The necessity of sustainable energy and the effect of environmental pollution are a direct impact in the current century. Hydrogen is the best substitute for fossil fuel and provides a clean carbon-free environment for future energy needs. Electrocatalytic water splitting is an excellent method to provide molecular hydrogen fuel. The usual noble metal-based electrocatalysts are highly expensive and have low availability for large amounts of hydrogen generation. In this context, considerable attention has been gained from transition metal-based oxide-free material as capable electrocatalyst for water electrolysis. This book chapter provides recent progress on transition metal-based oxide-free materials as effective and less expensive electrocatalyst for hydrogen production. Various oxide-free materials disused herein are transition metal carbides, nitrides, phosphides, sulfides, and their composites employed as efficient electrocatalysts for HER application. Afterward, this book chapter discusses the different synthetic manners to improve the catalytic activity for metal oxide-free materials. Some fabrication perspectives for developing the electrocatalytic activity are methodically suggested. Finally, the book chapter converses challenges and future viewpoints for the development of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts.