Heterostructured 2D material-based electro-/photo-catalysts for water splitting

Abstract

We provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the field of two-dimensional (2D) materials for energy conversion and storage applications. The focus of this review is the electronic structure tuning of 2D materials such as carbon/graphene, metal dichalcogenides, metal oxides/hydroxides, and MXenes for the hydrogen evolution reaction. This review begins with presenting a systematic classification, controllable synthesis, and formation mechanism of 2D nanomaterials. It then discusses the strategies for tuning the electronic structure of 2D nanomaterials and their impact on electro-/photo-catalytic properties, particularly through composite and heterostructure formation (0D/2D, 1D/2D, and 2D/2D). The latest advances in the development of electro-/photo-catalysts with novel nanosheet structures and compositions are discussed in detail. The correlation between the electronic nature; activity; and the shape, size, composition and synthesis methods of these materials is summarized. Finally, this review concludes with perspectives on future challenges and directions for research in this field.