Trends and Prospects of Bulk and Single‐Atom Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Electrolytic hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the production of green fuels and chemicals, while contributing to balancing consumption and supply in the future electricity grid relying largely on intermittent renewable sources for energy production. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a major bottleneck in boosting conversion efficiency due to the sluggish kinetics of the four‐electron transfer process. Intensive research efforts are thus directed toward the development of advanced OER electrocatalysts. This review aims at bringing together recent advances in bulk and single‐atom electrocatalysts (SACs) for the OER. Starting from the established understanding of the OER mechanism, it offers an overview of state‐of‐the‐art materials for the OER, highlighting the current research directions and shortcomings of bulk electrocatalysts. The final part addresses the novel development of SACs, covering their OER performance as well as the established synthetic routes and advances in characterization techniques that shine light on the geometric and electronic configuration of SACs. The review of experimental findings is complimented with theoretical insights from density functional theory (DFT). The article concludes with a summary along with future opportunities to further improve the activity of SACs for the OER.

Insights into the active nickel centers embedded in graphitic carbon nitride for the oxygen evolution reaction

“…The stabilization of the metal atom by oxygen in the axial position has been previously proposed in the literature. 61,62 The final local structure of the Ni centres deduced by combining the experimental and theoretical data is sketched in Fig. 4c and d (the geometry of the whole model is reported in Fig.…”

Single-atom catalysts: promotors of highly sensitive and selective sensors

“…Over the past decade, an increasing number of in situ/ operando methods (the in situ TEM, XAS, Raman and FT-IR) have been conducted on SACs in various applications, including thermochemical, electrochemical, and photochemical reactions. 90 These methods allow tracking of the dynamic changes in the local solid geometry and electronic structure of the catalyst, which are key to reactions. 91 Li's group recorded the competing sintering and atomization processes from noble metal nanoparticles (Pd, Pt and Au) to thermally stable SAs (e.g., Pd-N 4 ) over 900 1C in an inert atmosphere by in situ environmental TEM.…”

Length-tunable Pd2Sn@Pt core–shell nanorods for enhanced ethanol electrooxidation with concurrent hydrogen production

“…The sluggish kinetics of the OER pose a significant challenge in water electrolysis, requiring high electrical input and hindering its widespread implementation. 3–6 Despite extensive research efforts to accelerate anodic oxidation, substantial voltages are still necessary, considering the high theoretical equilibrium potential of 1.23 V for OER. 7–10…”