Rare‐earth Nanomaterials for EC Energy Conversion

Rare earth (RE) nanomaterials are promising electrocatalysts for various electrochemical reactions, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and N 2 reduction reaction (NRR). It is attributed to the unique electron interaction with the incorporated transition metal host and the subsequent changes in the RE incorporation's structural features. Although substantial electrocatalytic activity enhancements have been realized with RE nanomaterials, the detailed mechanism and roles of RE still require further in-depth investigations, demanding advances in experimental techniques and theoretical modelings. In this chapter, the RE nanomaterials electrochemical applications in HER, OER, and NRR are introduced, and the materials are mainly categorized into simple oxides, alloys and intermetallics, and Ce-doping/CeO 2 incorporated transition metal-based catalysts. At the end of the chapter, the current challenge and future perspective are discussed.