NiFe-based electrocatalysts toward high-current-density overall water electrolysis

Water electrolysis provides a promising pathway for the large-scale production of hydrogen as a clean fuel, which plays an important role in the transition to a low-carbon or even no-carbon economy. Despite the considerable efforts undertaken to study non-precious metal electrocatalysts, there has been a scarcity of researches enlarging their application to industrial water splitting. The development of NiFe-based catalysts has been a significant interest due to their high activity and stability at high-current densities, which are expected to be broadly applicable. Given the discrepancy between laboratory and industrial water electrolysis, tremendous attentions have been focused on the advanced NiFe-based electrocatalysts. This review presents a summary of three principal strategies: intrinsic activity, superhydrophilic/superaerophobic surface properties, and scale-up fabrication. It provides essential guidance and solutions for the prospective design of industrial NiFe-based electrocatalysts, with the objective of facilitating high-quality advancement of the new energy industry and thereby alleviating the energy crisis.