Porous 3D carbon-based materials: An emerging platform for efficient hydrogen production

Due to their unique properties and uninterrupted breakthrough in a myriad of clean energy-related applications, carbon-based materials have received great interest. However, the low selectivity and poor conductivity are two primary difficulties of traditional carbon-based materials (zero-dimensional (0D)/one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D)), enerating inefficient hydrogen production and impeding the future commercialization of carbon-based materials. To improve hydrogen production, attempts are made to enlarge the surface area of porous three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based materials, achieve uniform interconnected porous channels, and enhance their stability, especially under extreme conditions. In this review, the structural advantages and performance improvements of porous carbon nanotubes (CNTs), g-C3N4, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), MXenes, and biomass-derived carbon-based materials are firstly summarized, followed by discussing the mechanisms involved and assessing the performance of the main hydrogen production methods. These include, for example, photo/electrocatalytic hydrogen production, release from methanolysis of sodium borohydride, methane decomposition, and pyrolysis-gasification. The role that the active sites of porous carbon-based materials play in promoting charge transport, and enhancing electrical conductivity and stability, in a hydrogen production process is discussed. The current challenges and future directions are also discussed to provide guidelines for the development of next-generation high-efficiency hydrogen 3D porous carbon-based materials prospected.

Automated summary

Carbon-based materials have attracted great interest for their unique properties and breakthroughs in clean energy applications. However, their low selectivity and poor conductivity have hindered their commercialization. To improve hydrogen production efficiency, researchers are exploring ways to increase surface area, create interconnected porous channels, and enhance stability of carbon-based materials. This review summarizes the structural advantages and performance improvements of various porous carbon-based materials and evaluates the performance of hydrogen production methods. The role of active sites in promoting charge transport, electrical conductivity, and stability during hydrogen production is discussed. Challenges and future directions for the development of high-efficiency hydrogen 3D porous carbon-based materials are also discussed.