Progress in carbon-based electrocatalyst derived from biomass for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) involving electrocatalytic process is established as a promising and non-pollution method for hydrogen production. The cheap alternatives of precious-metal electrocatalysts with high activity robust stability essential the high-scale application evolution. Recently, carbon-based derived from biomass have attracted more attentions thanks to their characteristics low-cost, renewable, abundantly distributed environmentally friendly. In this work, original carbon material one doped N and/or S HER are intensively overviewed regarding electrochemical performance yield. overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 (η10) generally greater than 100 mV, which far inferior Pt-based catalysts. Consequently, biomass-based materials decorated by transition metal trace amount precious were introduced improving performance. synergistic effect between metals heteroatoms can significantly enhance activity, smallest value η10 mV. limitations challenges in area also addressed (1) in-depth investigation conversion mechanism, (2) modification via in-situ growth, (3) reproducibility transformation, (4) catalyst assembly renewable energy equipment.