Utilizing the charge-transfer model to design promising electrocatalysts

Abstract

Utilizing renewable electricity resources to produce various C/O/N/H-containing chemicals is an extremely promising energy conversion pathway. However, huge amounts of electricity inputs are always necessary for these electrochemical synthetic processes. Therefore, developing efficient electrocatalyst candidates is the key, where the charge-transfer model plays a vital role in the rational design of electrocatalysts. During the past decade, three main achievements have been attained in electrochemical catalysis: (i) Numerous new materials with unique physicochemical properties have been explored, (ii) The systems of activity descriptors and design principles have been successfully established, and (iii) The insights into the underlying catalysis mechanisms have deepened. The charge-transfer model is crucial for these strides and achievements. This short review will systematically discuss the charge-transfer model, including its origin, description, correlation with material properties, acquisition, and representative applications in electrochemical fields. We also make a brief conclusion and outlook for the charge-transfer model in the development of electrochemistry.