Metal-Based Materials for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Water electrolysis represents a practical and ecofriendly route for hydrogen production, which necessitates the utilization of highly active catalysts in order to reduce energy consumption. Therefore, a thorough comprehension of active sites, coupled with an in-depth study of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) mechanism, is essential for designing highly efficient electrocatalysts. In this chapter, we systematically outline the mechanism of the electrocatalytic HER and subsequently provide a detailed summary of the most recent developments of metal-based HER electrocatalysts, encompassing both platinum group metal (PGM)-based materials (such as Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir) and non-PGM-based materials (including Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu). The challenges of these metal-based HER materials, important issues concerning the study of electrocatalysts as well as HER mechanisms, and future prospects are also highlighted.