Design Principles of Single‐Atom Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: From Targeted Structures to Active Sites

Abstract

Hydrogen production from electrolytic water is considered a viable method for hydrogen production with significant social value due to its clean and pollution‐free nature, high hydrogen production efficiency and purity, but the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process is complex and kinetically slow. Single atom catalysts (SACs) with 100% atom utilization and homogeneous active sites often exhibit high catalytic activity and are expected to be extensively applied. The catalytic performance of OER can be further improved by precise regulation of the structure through electronic effects, coordination environment, hybrid atom doping and so on. In this review, we introduce the mechanisms of OER under different conditions, systematically summarize the latest research progress of SACs in the field of OER, then discuss the effects of various structural regulation strategies on catalytic performance, and propose principles and ideas for the design of SACs for OER. In the end, we summarize the outstanding issues and current challenges in this field.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

P‐Incorporation Induced Enhancement of Lattice Oxygen Participation in Double Perovskite Oxides to Boost Water Oxidation

“…[4] This stimulated an urgent need to construct earth abundant transition metal-based electrocatalysts (TM = Fe, Co, Ni, and Mn) with multivalent states of TM cations instead of noble metal catalysts to accelerate the OER. [5][6][7] In-depth understanding of OER mechanism is instrumental in the rational design of a better electrocatalyst. [4,8,9] Generally, the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) proceeds via a typical electronproton coupled four-step process, in which the reaction intermediates are sequentially oxidized via * OH→ * O→ * OOH→O 2 (g) on the single TM active center.…”

Cobalt Single Atoms Constructed in Confined Space for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…In the entire water splitting reaction, involving four electron oxygen evolution reactions (OER), the slow kinetics, resulting in higher overpotential (η), is the main bottleneck limiting the efficiency of electrolytic water hydrogen production. The yield of hydrogen production from electrolytic water can be increased by improving the efficiency of electrolytic water OER. − So far, several expensive complexes and oxides of precious metals, such as ruthenium (Ru) and iridium (Ir), have been employed as effective catalysts in OER. In order to conserve resources, nonprecious transition metal catalysts such as Fe, Co, and Ni have been investigated as promising OER catalyst. − Recently, cobalt-based compounds such as oxides, layered dihydroxides, nitrites, and phosphide have been used as nonprecious metal-based OER electrocatalysts. , The results show that the electrocatalytic water splitting performance is closely related to the exposure of active sites in catalysts.…”

Dopamine-modified cobalt spinel nanoparticles as an active catalyst for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction

“…In particular, nitrogen species in carbon materials has been proved to be efficient to improving their performance during the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). 27–30 Generally, in nitrogen-doped carbon materials, there are four main types of nitrogen species including pyrrolic nitrogen (PyrN), pyridinic nitrogen (PydN), graphitic nitrogen (GrN), and oxidized pyridinic nitrogen (OxN). To further develop high-performance Co 3 O 4 -carbon composite materials, it is urgently essential to understand their interfacial interactions, especially the interactions with these N species.…”