Progress on facet engineering of catalysts for application in photo/electro-catalysis

The conversion and storage of solar or electrical energy into chemical energy through photo/electro-catalysis technology shows fascinating potential for alleviating the energy crisis. The application of facet engineering in photo/electrocatalytic materials has shown significant advantages, making it an attractive and challenging topic at the intersection of physics and chemistry. In recent years, from basic scientific research to practical applications, facet engineering has made significant progress in photo/electro-catalytic reactions. In this review, we mainly focus on the microscopic mechanisms of facet engineering and how it specifically affects photo/electro-catalytic reactions, including CO2 reduction, hydrogen evolution, and nitrogen reduction. The microscopic mechanisms are elucidated and direct evidence for improving catalytic reactions is revealed through advanced spectroscopic characterization and theoretical analysis. Based on the microscopic mechanisms of facet engineering, the design principles and breakthrough directions for facet engineering are proposed, such as LSPR and single atom modification etc. In particular, we emphasize the controllable preparation methods for facet exposure from the aspects of capping agents, pH regulation and precursor hydrolysis, etc. Finally, the outlooks and future development prospects of facet engineering are briefly discussed.