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Hydrogen (H 2 ) energy is gaining attention as a key component in the global push to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, which are primary contributors to global warming. H 2 does not naturally exist in its elemental form and must be synthesized cost-effectively from hydrogen-rich compounds. Among available methods, photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting are viewed as particularly promising for sustainable H 2 production. Historically, noble metals such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), and rhodium (Rh) have demonstrated superior catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, their scarcity and high cost have necessitated the search for noble metal-free alternatives. Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have emerged as promising substitutes, offering excellent catalytic performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for both HER and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Properties like active metal centres, nitrogen functionalities, and porous features such as surface area, pore-volume, and tunable pore size of TMNs could play an important role in electrochemical and photocatalytic hydrogen production. Additionally, TMNs exhibit desirable properties for applications beyond catalysis, including energy storage, optoelectronics, and wear-resistant coatings. This review presents recent advancements in the synthesis and structural design of TMNs, with a particular focus on their roles in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic H 2 production. By examining various synthesis techniques and performance characteristics, this review aims to provide researchers with valuable insights into the design and application of TMN-based catalysts, supporting the broader goal of sustainable hydrogen energy production.
Sonari et al. (Wed,) studied this question.