Fullerene-derived nanocomposite as an efficient electrocatalyst for overall water splitting and Zn–air battery

Hydrogen energy has been regarded as a potential energy source for the future economy. In order to realize the clean and efficient utilization of hydrogen energy, sustainable energy conversion technology needs to be developed. Overall water splitting (OWS) and zinc–air batteries (ZAB), which involve the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), are two typical energy storage and conversion techniques. However, they are limited by slow reaction kinetics and high thermodynamic overpotential, and thus require highly active, stable and low-cost catalysts to overcome this energy barrier. In recent years, carbon-based electrocatalysts have attracted increasingly more attention due to their various advantages, among which fullerene is regarded as a promising material due to its definite molecular structure and excellent electron acceptability. In this study, the synthesis methods of fullerene-based electrocatalysts commonly used in recent years are first summarized. Then, their applications are reviewed from the aspects of HER, OER, ORR, OWS, and ZAB, as well as carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Finally, a brief outlook and prospective for future investigations on the design and construction of novel fullerene-based electrocatalysts and related mechanism analysis is also provided.