Design, preparation, and application of two-dimensional topological materials in electrocatalytic water splitting

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable energy and carbon emission reduction has prompted the development of efficient hydrogen production technologies. Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising technique for generating clean hydrogen. However, sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction kinetics and the high cost of conventional catalysts remain major challenges. Two-dimensional (2D) topological materials have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique electronic structures, topologically protected edge states, and excellent charge transport properties. This review summarizes recent advances in the electronic structures, preparation methods, and electrocatalytic water splitting applications of 2D topological materials (including topological insulators, Dirac semimetals, Weyl semimetals, and nodal line semimetals). In addition, the catalytic mechanisms and performance regulation strategies are discussed. The reviewed studies reveal that topological electronic states can enhance catalytic activity by increasing active sites, modulating intermediate adsorption, and accelerating charge transfer. Furthermore, several techniques, including heterostructure construction, doping, and strain engineering, can further improve the performance of 2D topological materials. The remaining challenges and future perspectives for practical applications are highlighted, providing insights for the further development of this field.