A review: Multi-hierarchy design strategy of electrocatalysts for energy molecule conversion

Under the new energy resource structure, electrocatalysts are key materials for the development of proton membrane fuel cells, electrolysis of aquatic hydrogen devices, and carbon dioxide reduction equipment, to address energy shortages and even environmental pollution issues. Although controlling the morphology or doping with heteroatoms for catalyst active centers have accelerated the reaction rate, it is difficult to solve the problems of multiple by-products, and poor stability of catalytic sites. From this, it will be seen that single regulation of metal active centers is difficult to comprehensively solve application problems. Orderly assembly and coordination of catalyst multi-hierarchy structures at the mesoscale above the nanometer level probably be more reasonable strategies, and numerous studies in thermal catalysis have supported this viewpoint. This article reviews the multi-hierarchy design of electrocatalyst active centers, high-energy supports, and peripheral structures in recent years, providing unconventional inspiration about electrocatalyst creation, which perhaps serves as a simple tutorial of electrocatalysis exploration for abecedarian.