Exploring metal oxides for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the field of nanotechnology

Abstract

As the global energy landscape transitions towards a more diversified mix, with electricity and hydrogen constituting half of the final energy consumption by 2050, the focus on efficient and sustainable hydrogen production intensifies. The Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER), a critical process for hydrogen production, shows promising potential with metal oxide electrocatalysts. Despite extensive studies on transition metal oxides, non-metal oxides' potential remains relatively underexplored. This exhaustive analysis bridges this knowledge gap, focusing on the classification, strategies, and potential applications of metal oxides in HER catalysis. Aiming to develop efficient, cost-effective hydrogen production methods and green hydrogen energy, future research should also explore combining metal oxides with other materials to enhance HER performance. Parallelly, metal oxide nanomaterials are receiving significant attention due to their diverse applications in sustainable energy and environmental remediation. Green chemistry approaches are indispensable for synthesizing these nanomaterials to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability. The green synthesis methods, their advantages, challenges, and the role of these nanomaterials in energy storage, batteries, and supercapacitors are discussed. Significant potential has been demonstrated in various sustainable energy applications and environmental remediation technologies, including photocatalytic water splitting, solar cells, and thermoelectric materials. Future research should optimize green synthesis methods, address limitations, and further explore new metal oxide nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental applications, thereby advancing the use of these materials in the field of nanotechnology.