Water-Splitting Electrocatalysts Synthesized Using Ionic Liquids

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising sustainable route for generation of clean-burning hydrogen. To realize this goal, more effective catalysts for the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions are required. In this review, we investigate the recent use of ionic liquids (ILs) in the synthesis of electro-catalysts for the water-splitting reactions. ILs have an attractive range of properties (e.g., high boiling points, wide electrochemical windows, and high vapor pressures) that facilitate the synthesis of materials that would be hard (or impossible) to obtain using other solvents. The number of reports using ILs for electrocatalyst synthesis has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, the time is ripe for a critical review of current progress and outstanding challenges in this dynamic field.