The oxygen evolution reaction is a key challenge in water

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated challenges and future work and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 3 journals.

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Trace Mn doping activates ZIF-67 through reconstruction to Co-Mn (oxy)hydroxides for enhanced oxygen evolution (2026) · Energy Materials · doi

  The oxygen evolution reaction is a key challenge in water splitting. Transition-metal catalysts often lack stability under strongly oxidative conditions. The electrochemical reconstruction of MOF precatalysts is not well understood.

  generalstated challenges
  Keywords: oxygen evolution reaction key challenge water splitting transition-metal
• A comprehensive review of MXene–transition metal oxides composites as photocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (2026) · Chemical Papers · doi

  This review provides overview of emerging role of MXene- transition metal oxides (TMO) in photocatalytic hydrogen production. MXenes have excellent conductivity, tunable surface chemistry and gives synergistic properties when combined with transition metal oxides. But charges recom- bination which limit catalytic activities, is significant chal- lenge. MXene based catalysts faces certain difficulties in water splitting reactions. One major problem is the corrosive nature of HF, which is employed in synthesis. One major problem is the corrosive nature of HF, which is employed in synthesis. It has garnered a lot of interest in order to create a synthesis process that is both environmentally benign and scalable. Designing MXenes with termination groups like as –NH3 or –CH3 through some organic treatment can lead to new catalytic behaviors. Tailoring surface groups will enable MXene to be optimized for other reactions like ORR and CO2 reduction irrespective of HER. Integration of MXenes with other catalysts like perovskites or MOF, are another promising avenue. MXenes based MOF can address issues related to poor conductivity of MOF and MOF provides a high density of active sites, leading to enhanced photo- catalytic hydrogen production. Also, there are still lack of studies on comprehensive mechanism on charge transfer dynamics at the MXene–TMOs interface. Computational studies like density functional theory (DFT) which provides detailed insights into electronic interaction and experimen- tal endorsement under reaction conditions is still limited, which can provide understanding of structural and electronic behavior of electrode material. Furthermore, theoretical and experimental work on MXene-transition metal oxides based composite for their efficient catalytic behavior, needed to be done. Modeling can rational material design by identifying optimal compositions and interface configurations. Future research should focus on deep understanding of band align- ment and carriers migrations pathways in MXene-TMOs heterostructures, as they play crucial roles in determining photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency. Another, important direction is the development of defect engineered and porous MXenes which offer higher surface area and more active sites, which are essential for improving hydrogen adsorption and catalytic activity. Controlled syn- thesis of MXene layers while maintaining its conductivity should be further explored. Moreover, long-term stability and resistance to oxidation of MXenes-based photocatalysts are major challenges for practical hydrogen production. Most of the reported studies are limited to laboratory scale, therefore future work should be done for cost-effective and scalability to make MXene-based photocatalysts suitable for industrial hydrogen production. 1 3Chemical PapersMoreover, collaborations interdisciplinary among experts and engineers in materials science, chemistry, phys- ics and environmental science can drive new discoveries by integrating specialized knowledge to tackle complex, com- plicated challenges and the development of cost effective and scalable industrial methods for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The potential of MXenes-TMOs composites for effective and sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution may be fully manipulated through advancements in rational design, mechanistic knowledge and scalable production. Acknowledgements Dr. Sana Sabahat is highly thankful to COM- SATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan for their support. Author contributions Ms. Maha Bibi did the literature review and review writing. Conception and supervision were done by Dr. Sana Sabahat. Dr. Azra Yaqub did co-supervision. Aimen Wajid helped in writing. Data availability The datasets generated during and/or analyzed dur- ing the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: mxene hydrogen production mxenes catalytic based photocatalytic like review provides transition metal oxides conductivity surface
• Effect of In-situ/Ex-situ Hydrothermal Routes on Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of CeO2/N-Ti3C2Tx Composites (2026) · Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology · doi

  Recently, integrating rare-earth metal oxides with two-dimensional (2D) MXenes has emerged as an efficient strategy for assembling advanced hybrid composites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but the influence of synthesis strategies on their resulting properties remains unclear.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: recently integrating rare earth metal oxides dimensional mxenes emerged efficient strategy assembling advanced hybrid composites

Questions about this gap