Synthesis of transition metal nitride nanomaterials for electrocatalytic applications
Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have emerged as promising alternatives to noble metals in electrocatalysis due to their noble metal-like electronic structures, high conductivity, low cost, and robust chemical stability against corrosion and oxidation under harsh conditions. The rational design and controlled synthesis of TMNs with distinct structures are crucial for developing highly efficient electrocatalysts. This review comprehensively summarizes representative synthetic strategies for TMNs, including direct nitridation, solid-state reaction, sol-gel assisted reaction, and wet-chemical reaction. It presents distinct structural characterizations and demonstrates their advances in electrochemical applications. Finally, the remaining challenges and future research directions for exploring TMNs with well-defined structures are proposed, aiming to guide the development of high-performance electrocatalysts.