title: Towards Versatile and Sustainable Hydrogen Production through Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: Electrolyte Engineering.
abstract: Recent advances in power generation from renewable resources necessitate conversion of electricity to chemicals and fuels in an efficient manner. Electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the most powerful and widespread technologies. The development of highly efficient, inexpensive, flexible, and versatile water electrolysis devices is desired. This review discusses the significance and impact of the electrolyte on electrocatalytic performance. Depending on the circumstances under which the water splitting reaction is conducted, the required solution conditions, such as the identity and molarity of ions, may significantly differ. Quantitative understanding of such electrolyte properties on electrolysis performance is effective to facilitate the development of efficient electrocatalytic systems. The electrolyte can directly participate in reaction schemes (kinetics), affect electrode stability, and/or indirectly impact the performance by influencing the concentration overpotential (mass transport). This review aims to guide fine-tuning of the electrolyte properties, or electrolyte engineering, for (photo)electrochemical water splitting reactions.
authors.affiliation: KAUST Catalysis Center and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5240-7342
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinagawa
authors.affiliation: KAUST Catalysis Center and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 4700 KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5374-9451
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takanabe
mesh_terms: D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004738:Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D014867:Water; D006859:Hydrogen; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: hydrogen evolution reaction; ions; oxygen evolution reaction; solar fuel; water splitting