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.