Advanced electro catalysts based on hybrid composite materials for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

Alkaline water electrolysis is a well-established technology for industrial hydrogen production for commercial applications across the globe and is also gaining significance as a key technology for the effective conversion and storage of energy. It is important to note that hydrogen is seen as the energy carrier of the future and will be a key element in the development of a more sustainable industry and society. However, hydrogen is currently produced mainly from fossil fuels, and this needs to change. Alkaline water electrolysis with advanced technology has the most significant potential for this transition to produce large-scale green hydrogen by utilizing renewable energy resources. This chapter reviews the advancement in electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction, highlighting the key materials, limitations, and design considerations. The non-precious materials, metals, alloys, and high-surface-area materials showed enhanced performance. The performance of a catalyst is influenced by a number of key factors that are briefly discussed in this chapter, and this chapter also provides an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of various catalysts, taking into account their composition and the prevalent metal ions and materials derived from those ions. We provide a visual aid to clarify the comparison and make it more understandable. Finally, we propose that attention be paid to the fundamental material attributes that are important to consider when designing new catalysts for the electrolysis of water.