Parsing the basic principles to build efficient heterostructures toward electrocatalysis

Abstract

Electrocatalysis can facilitate the reaction kinetics in many electrochemical energy conversion devices. Heterostructural catalysts are important candidates due to their sufficient tunability of components and electronic states. So far however, no basic principles have been provided to guide the rational selection of components and catalytic mechanisms of such high-efficiency heterostructures. This article is aimed at parsing the inherent principles of universal component selection strategies from the perspective of compatibility in electron structures or physical properties. The catalytic mechanism of these as-obtained heterostructural catalysts is also systematically analyzed, and the foreseeable research on the structure–activity relationship of heterostructural catalysts is then discussed. This would enable researchers in this field to conduct related works in a guiding way.