One hindrance to
the development of fuel cells and electrolyzers
are the oxygen electrodes, which suffer from high overpotentials and
slow kinetics. Perovskite oxides have been shown to be promising oxygen
electrode catalysts because of their low cost, flexibility, and tailorable
properties. In order to improve perovskite catalysts for the oxygen
reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions, a better understanding
of their reaction mechanisms is needed. This Perspective aims to inform
researchers of the current proposed reaction mechanisms for ORR and
OER on perovskites and perovskite/carbon composites in order to guide
future catalyst development. Additionally, important experimental
practices will be recommended. A recent development for OER is the
lattice oxygen evolution reaction, which is a possible addition to
the conventional four consecutive proton-coupled electron transfer
mechanism. Carbon additives are consistently added to perovskites
to enhance conductivity and ORR/OER activity. However, carbon plays
an active role in ORR, and there is evidence of a synergistic relationship
between perovskite and carbon in perovskite/carbon composites.