A Minireview on Nickel-Based Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

Nowadays, developing non-precious electrocatalysts with high performance is of primary significance in a fascinating and scalable water splitting technology for hydrogen production. A number of nickel (Ni)-based heterogeneous catalysts have been designed and synthesized to lower the overpotentials for large current densities due to low cost and facile synthesis. Herein, recent progress on Ni-based composites functioning on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water splitting is summarized. The synthesis strategies, structure design and performance analysis of Ni-based heterostructured catalysts are thoroughly discussed, aiming to promote the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts that may ultimately replace the noble-metal based catalysts and bring water splitting into the practical application.