Perovskite Oxide Based Electrodes for the Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions: The Underlying Mechanism

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.