Roles of Metal Oxide Nanostructure-Based Substrates in Sustainable Electrochemical Water Splitting: Recent Development and Future Perspective

Abstract

Increasing energy demand to find everlasting and eco-friendly resources is now mainly dependent on green hydrogen production technology. Water electrolysis has been regarded as a clean route for green H2 production with zero carbon emission, but different bottlenecks in the development of electrodes impeded its realization. Recently, transition metal oxides (TMO) have gained tremendous attention as suitable cathodes and anodes due to their sustainability under harsh conditions, high redox features, maximum supportive capability, easy modulation in valence states, and enhanced electrical conductivity. In this review, we have highlighted the role of transition metal oxides as active and supported sites for electrochemical water splitting. We have proposed different perspectives for the rational design of TMO-based electrode materials, i.e., electronic state modulation, modification of the surface structure to control the aerophobicity and hydrophilicity, acceleration of the charge and mass transport, and stability of the electrocatalyst in harsh environments. We have systemically discussed the insights into the relationship among catalytic activity, certain specified challenges, research directions, and perspectives of electrocatalysis of the OER and HER.