Multi-dimensional engineering of transition metal dichalcogenides for enhanced performance in fuel cell technologies

Fuel cells are considered a highly competitive strategy in the pursuit of sustainable energy, which is crucial for achieving both environmental goals and long-term economic stability. However, challenges such as electrochemical corrosion and fuel penetration still persist in the catalytic layer and electrolyte diaphragm. Tailored nanostructures of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) hold great potential in addressing these issues due to their wide-ranging modulated properties. Several prominent works are reviewed in this article summarizing the 1D, 2D, and 3D tailored-TMD nanostructures and their assembly techniques. Additionally, the breakthroughs achieved by multidimensional nanostructures in addressing limitations such as stacking issues, low conductivity, and loss of active sites in TMDs are discussed. In particular, the effects of manipulating catalysts and electrolyte diaphragms in fuel cells by introducing multi-dimensional nanostructures are highlighted and compared. Finally, the article concludes the challenges that are generally faced in making TMD-based nanostructures a reliable material for the future energy sector. (c) 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.