Abstract:
The depletion of traditional energy supplies, that is, fossil fuels, has increased interest in
hydrogen as a source of clean energy. As a fuel, hydrogen boasts a high energy density,
carbon-free byproducts, and the ability to be stored. Water splitting is a carbon-neutral
method for the sustainable creation of hydrogen. However, the process requires highperformance, stable, and inexpensive catalysts for kinetic and economic viability. Diverse
catalysts have been investigated for the effective production of hydrogen through the water
splitting process. At operationally relevant current densities, tungsten carbide is a resilient
and electrochemically active material with low Tafel slopes and overpotentials equivalent
to the standard catalyst platinum. This thesis is to describe the advances that Tungsten
carbide and its hybrids have achieved in water-splitting. Particular focus has been given to
popular techniques that can enhance the catalytic capabilities of the hybrids for the whole
process, beginning with the synthesis procedures and their influence on the structure and
properties. In order to determine the optimal class of materials in accordance with hydrogen
production procedures, a significant insight into future considerations for catalytic
enhancement is also provided for researchers and industry alike.
