Recent advances in renewable energy electrolysis hydrogen production technology and related electrocatalysts

Hydrogen, as a clean and efficient secondary energy, is an important component of building a clean society in the future. To date, the hydrogen production industry in China is highly dependent on fossil energy. Therefore, the development of environment-friendly hydrogen production by water electrolysis has very important practical significance. The production of high-purity hydrogen through the electrolysis of water via renewable energy is one of the most potential green hydrogen route among many hydrogen production technologies. Based on the introduction of three water electrolysis technologies and core components, the progress of the research on electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was reviewed, and the research status of transition metal-based electrocatalysts and single-atom catalysts were systematically discussed. Furthermore, the integration of renewable energy generation and water electrolysis hydrogen production technology was further discussed, and the development progress of domestic and foreign hydrogen production projects based on renewable energy was briefly described. With the reduction of electricity costs and the development of efficient, stable and economical hydrogen evolution catalysts, hydrogen production by electrolysis based on renewable energy will be an important way for our country to realize the transition from traditional energy to low-carbon clean energy, solve the problem of renewable energy consumption, and accelerate the industrialization of hydrogen energy. © 2021, Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All right reserved.