Abstract:Catalytic hydrogen production technology has attracted much attention due to its efficient and clean characteristics, and the exploration and optimization of catalytic material properties is the key to improve the yield of hydrogen energy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as a surface analysis technique, can analyze the chemical information of the sample surface by measuring the energy distribution of photoelectrons, including the type, content, chemical state and electronic structure of the elements, which provides an indispensable tool for the study of catalytic hydrogen production. In this paper, the principle of XPS, several common types and principles of catalytic hydrogen production, and the application of XPS in several common catalytic hydrogen production material systems are reviewed, which shows that XPS can not only reveal the electronic structure and chemical environment of the active sites on the surface of the material, but also deeply understand the catalytic mechanism and reaction path, and guide the rational design of materials. Finally, this paper looks forward to the future development of XPS technology in the field of catalytic hydrogen production, which will help to promote the deeper mechanism exploration and the development of high-performance materials in the field of catalytic hydrogen production with the combination of XPS and other methods. This research direction not only promotes the development of catalysis science, but also provides strong support for the realization of hydrogen economy.