Surface/Interface Design Strategies for Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts: Progress and Perspectives

Electrocatalysts play a critical role in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies and have been extensively researched. However, the trade-off between activity and stability design of electrocatalysts under industrial high-current and corrosive working conditions is still urgently required to be addressed for practical applications. This review summarizes the latest progress and perspectives of electrocatalysts, with particular emphasis on design strategies based on the surface/interface microstructures for highly efficient electrocatalysts. It also focuses on the intrinsic relationship between structures and electrochemical behaviors, the importance of surfaces/interfaces for reducing reaction barrier and improving reaction efficiency, and the inherent principles and factors for optimizing the electrocatalytic reaction process. Finally, this review proposes the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning based electrocatalytic properties prediction, external fields-assisted electrocatalysts preparation and microenvironment modulation-regulated electrocatalytic reaction processes for future electrocatalyst design. This review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for further fundamental research and engineering applications in the electrocatalysis field.