Recent advances in interface engineering of Iron triad metal phosphides electrocatalysts towards enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance

Abstract

Water electrolysis for hydrogen production is a promising method, but its widespread industrialization is obstructed by the significant overpotential within the process. Iron triad metal phosphides have emerged as viable alternatives to noble-metal catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their abundant reserves, low cost, and good stability. However, they suffer from issues like poor dispersibility and limited conductivity. Interface engineering has been validated as an efficacious strategy for addressing these problems. This review focuses on iron triad metal phosphide HER electrocatalysts based on interface engineering. It first introduces the HER reaction mechanism in different media and performance evaluation indicators. Then, three interface configurations (hierarchical-structure type, heterojunction interface type and support structure type) are presented, and the preparation methods and catalytic effects of each type are discussed. Subsequently, the function of interface engineering in boosting intrinsic activity, augmenting the quantity of surface-active sites, improving conductivity, and enhancing stability is elaborated. The review also classifies iron triad metal phosphide interfacial electrocatalysts into metal-phosphide, compound-phosphide, and phosphide-support interfaces, and summarizes their research progress. Finally, it points out that although interface engineering has improved the electrocatalytic HER performance of iron triad metal phosphides, challenges remain in developing atomic-interface-type materials, precisely characterizing interfacial electronic structures, and conducting in-depth theoretical simulations. Future research in these areas is expected to further enhance the performance of iron triad metal phosphide electrocatalysts and facilitate the exploitation and utilization of hydrogen energy.