Executive Summary : | The rapid depletion of conventional fossil fuels has led to the search for a more sustainable alternative energy source, such as hydrogen. Hydrogen is a zero carbon emission, clean, and green energy carrier, but its generation is primarily reliant on fossil fuel steam reforming, which produces CO2. Water electrolysis has gained attention as a substitute, and electrochemical water splitting is considered a promising way to produce hydrogen without harmful emissions. However, performance factors such as low overpotential, high current density, stability, and cost of the electrocatalyst are associated with water splitting performance. This project aims to synthesize low-cost, multi-faceted anisotropic nanomaterials for effective water splitting using non-precious multi-site anisotropic electrocatalysts. The project focuses on simple, cost-effective, efficient, and less time-consuming strategies for the controlled synthesis of anisotropic nanostructures of non-noble metals with various shapes and doping with S/Se/Te/P. The focus is on recent developments in nanostructure design, controlled fabrication, and mechanistic understanding to improve electrocatalytic performance. The shape-controlled nanostructures with various morphologies are expected to have a significant impact on electrocatalytic water splitting. |