Citation: Gang Zhao, Yuxin Dai, Ning Zhao, Lan Mu, Mei Xue, Chenan Xu, Tianyong Zhang. Design strategies and performance optimization of nickel-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for green hydrogen via overall water splitting[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(10): 112691. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112691 shu

Design strategies and performance optimization of nickel-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for green hydrogen via overall water splitting

Gang Zhao ^{a, c, 1,*,} ,
Yuxin Dai ^{a, 1} ,
Ning Zhao ^a ,
Lan Mu ^{b, *,} ,
Mei Xue ^a ,
Chenan Xu ^d ,
Tianyong Zhang ^{c, *,}

a.
School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, Ji'nan 250022, China
b.
Institute of Novel Semiconductors, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250100, China
c.
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
d.
College of Smart Materials and Future Energy, State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

sps_zhaog@ujn.edu.cn

mulan_ujn@163.com

tyzhang@tju.edu.cn

Received Date: 6 January 2026
Revised Date: 12 March 2026
Accepted Date: 26 March 2026
Available Online: 27 March 2026

Figures(10)

Hydrogen energy is a key clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Producing “green hydrogen” via water electrolysis using renewable energy is a leading approach, but high costs and reliance on scarce precious metal catalysts like platinum and iridium remain major barriers. Developing affordable, efficient, and stable non-precious metal catalysts is therefore essential for scaling up green hydrogen technology. Nickel-based materials have emerged as promising candidates due to their good electrocatalytic activity for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, corrosion resistance, and low cost. Recent studies have focused on nickel-based compounds such as hydroxides, sulfides, selenides, and phosphates as bifunctional catalysts. However, their performance still lags precious metals in activity and stability, necessitating further improvement through material modification. This review examines the fundamental mechanisms of electrocatalysis and explores strategies to enhance nickel-based catalysts, including anion/cation doping, microstructure control, and heterointerface engineering. These approaches help optimize electronic structures, increase surface area, and improve mass transfer, thereby boosting catalytic activity and durability. Finally, the practical potential and development pathway of high-performance nickel-based electrocatalysts for large-scale green hydrogen production are discussed.
- Water electrolysis,
- Nickel-based bifunctional electrocatalyst,
- Catalytic mechanism,
- Construct strategy,
- Oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions
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