Electronic Redistribution Through the Interface: A Prodigy that Enhances Electrocatalysis

Abstract

AbstractEfficient design approaches have been developed to create electrocatalysts with the aim of enhancing both the number of active sites and the inherent activity of each individual active site. There is a requirement for more universally applicable approaches to thoroughly understand the activity of electrocatalysts. Particularly in this regard, heterointerfaces that exhibit a strong coupling effect have significantly improved the reaction kinetics of electrocatalysis. The electronic redistribution that takes place between the two phases through the interface is the cause of the increased catalytic activity that is exhibited by the heterostructures. Electrophilic and nucleophilic sites are generated on the surface of the catalyst as a result of the electronic redistribution that occurs from one phase to another phase. These sites have the ability to catalyze both the HER and the OER simultaneously. However, a comprehensive debate is required regarding the mechanistic route that is responsible for the acceleration of the reaction rate experienced by the reallocation of electrons.This review summarizes the electron redistribution phenomenon happening after the strong contact between two interfaces. We have explained the charge distribution phenomenon in semiconductor‐semiconductor heterojunctions and metal‐semiconductor heterojunctions.