Tailoring Electrocatalytic Performance via Rare Earth Elements in Water Splitting Catalysts:Strategies,Mechanisms and Perspectives

doi:10.12422/j.issn.1006-396X.2026.05.001

Abstract

Abstract:

Rareearth elements (REEs), with their unique 4f electronic configurations,tunable valence states,and exceptional oxygen affinity,demonstrate irreplaceable regulatory value in the rational design of electrocatalysts for water electrolysis.This review systematically elucidates the key strategies,mechanistic insights, and recent advances in REE⁃enhanced electrocatalytic performance.First,the modulation effect of REEs on the electronic structure of catalysts and the mechanism of performance enhancement are analyzed in depth.Second,the research progress of three modulation strategies⁃rare⁃earth atomic doping, heterointerfacial construction and dynamic surface reconstruction⁃for improving the performance of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is discussed in detail.Particular attention is paid to revealing the intrinsic correlation between REE⁃induced electronic structure modulation and improved catalytic performance.Finally,critical challenges confronting current research are identified,and future research directions are proposed,including the rational design of rare⁃earth⁃based electrocatalysts,in⁃situ characterization techniques,exploration of multi⁃factor synergistic mechanisms,and recycling of rare earth resources.This work provides systematic research insights to advance the industrialization of water electrolysis for hydrogen production.

Key words: Rare earth element, Water electrolysis, Atomic doping, Heterointerface, Surface reconstruction

摘要：

稀土元素（Rare Earth Elements,REEs）因其独特的4f电子构型、可调变价态及优异的氧亲和特性，在电解水催化剂的理性设计中展现出不可替代的调控价值。系统阐述了REEs在提升电催化性能中的关键策略、作用机制与研究进展。首先，深入分析了REEs对催化剂电子结构的调控作用及性能增强机制；其次，详细讨论了稀土原子掺杂、异质界面构建和表面动态重构三大调控策略在提升析氢反应（HER）和析氧反应（OER）性能方面的研究进展，特别揭示了典型REEs诱导的电子结构调控与催化性能提升之间的内在联系；最后，针对当前研究存在的关键挑战提出了未来发展方向，包括发展稀土基电催化剂的理性设计、原位表征技术、多因素协同机制探索、稀土资源循环利用等，为推进电解水制氢技术的产业化进程提供了系统性的研究思路。

关键词: 稀土元素, 电解水, 原子掺杂, 异质界面, 表面重构

CLC Number:

TQ15

Qingtan XU, Xiang PENG. Tailoring Electrocatalytic Performance via Rare Earth Elements in Water Splitting Catalysts:Strategies,Mechanisms and Perspectives[J]. Journal of Petrochemical Universities, 2026, 39(5): 1-13.

许庆坦, 彭祥. 稀土元素对电解水催化剂的性能调控：策略、机制与展望[J]. 石油化工高等学校学报, 2026, 39(5): 1-13.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 OER thermodynamics,atomic coordination and electronic structure of Y-doped RuO2[34]

Fig.2 Preparation, electrochemical surface property and stability analysis of Ce-based electrocatalysts[39-40]

Fig. 3 Synthesis strategy and electronic-state modulation of rare-earth-doped iron-based electrocatalysts[46-47]

Fig.4 Synthesis,phase and interfacial electronic-structure characterizations of Ni3N-CeO2/NF[53,55]

Fig.5 In situ attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of MoCoPLa and MoCoP[57]

Fig.6 In-situ characterizations, theoretical calculations and OER electrochemical performances of R-Ce2W2O9 catalyst[61]

Fig.7 Schematic illustration of surface reconstruction of CeO2@CoSe2 and in situ Raman spectra of CoSe2/CC and CeO2@CoSe2/CC[62]

Fig.8 High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of polycrystalline films of Co3O4 and LaCo[63]

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