Non-Ir based catalysts for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction: progress and challenges

Abstract

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis is the key to solve the problem of hydrogen production by hydrolyzing water and rechargeable metal-air battery. Therefore, the development of active and highly stable oxygen evolution catalyst materials has become a hot research topic. Ir-based catalysts for oxygen evolution are the most common electrocatalytic materials, but the high price and low yield of iridium greatly restrict its large-scale development. It is of great significance to develop efficient and cheap non-iridium-based catalysts for oxygen evolution. Herein, we first conclude the reaction mechanisms of the OER, and then classify the OER catalysts. In addition, some new research achievements in non-iridium catalysts in the past 5 years are also reviewed. On this basis, some improvement of OER catalysts and their future development were discussed.