Research Progress in the Synthesis of Diatomic Catalysts and Their Application in Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis of Water

Hydrogen production from water electrolysis is a key technology to achieving China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goal, and its practical application requires the development of low-cost, high-activity and high-stability catalysts. In recent years, DACs have received extensive attention in the field of hydrogen production through water electrolysis. This review discusses several common synthesis methods for DACs, including precursors preselection, thermal migration, double solvents, self-assembly, and atomic layer deposition. Furthermore, it summarizes the application of DACs in electrolytic water splitting. The application is still at the laboratory stage and has not yet reached industrial standards. To achieve practical application in HER, it is essential to enhance research on the precision of synthesis methods, the stability of catalysts, the synthesis of non-noble metal dual-atom catalysts, and the reaction mechanism of DACs.