Metal-free carbon-based porous materials, promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen fuel production

The development of effective and sustainable electrocatalysts for hydrogen fuel production is crucial for advancing clean energy technologies. Metal-free porous carbon materials have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional metal-based catalysts due to their low cost, high surface area, tunable porosity, and excellent electrochemical stability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in metal-free porous carbon electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A comprehensive discussion is provided regarding how heteroatom doping, defect engineering, and surface functionalization improve catalytic activity. Additionally, we compare the performance of these materials and highlight recent strategies for improving their efficiency and durability. Future perspectives on optimizing metal-free porous carbons for large-scale hydrogen production are also explored. This review intends to give a clear view on the rational design of next-generation electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen energy applications.