Abstract
Development of catalysts with high activity and durability is essential for the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of water splitting. Three-dimensional catalysts have large surface areas and good mechanical and antipoisoning properties and can directly act as working electrodes; these are especially important factors from the point of view of practical applications. Here we review recent significant progress in the field of three-dimensional catalysts for water splitting. Various three-dimensional catalysts that can be applied in electrocatalytic water splitting are presented. The fabricating methods, electrocatalytic performances, and the catalytic mechanisms of these catalysts are introduced. Lastly, the major challenges in this particular field and their prospective solutions are also discussed.