Optimizing the Interface for Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with sluggish kinetics has been regarded as the bottleneck reaction for water splitting and other electrocatalytic systems. Improving the OER performance is of great importance but still challenging. The rational design of an OER electrocatalyst has made significant progress, while the role of the electrode/electrolyte interface is less explored. In this article, we start with the introduction of OER mechanisms, including the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM), which guide the rational design of high-performance OER electrocatalysts. The crucial role of the electrode/electrolyte interface is highlighted, with emphasis given to the influence of the electrolyte (e.g., pH, cation, and anion) on the OER activity. In addition, we also discuss the effective strategies that suppress chlorine chemistry and enhance OER performance in seawater through catalyst and electrolyte engineering. Finally, the main challenges and promising research directions are outlined for the further development of electrocatalysis.