Regulation engineering of the surface and structure of perovskite-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Perovskite oxides of low cost and with an adjustable structure have been widely used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, most perovskite oxides have inherent barriers of low catalytic activity and poor electrical conductivity. The reaction at the active site and the adsorption/desorption of the reactants are carried out more efficiently on the catalyst surface. In order to regulate the surface and structure of a catalyst to improve the catalytic activity of perovskite oxides in the OER, many strategies have been explored. In this paper, the descriptor of catalytic activity of perovskite oxides is described. The oxygen evolution mechanisms (the adsorbate evolution mechanism, AEM, and lattice oxygen evolution mechanism, LOM) and the regulation mode between AEM and LOM have been deeply analyzed to guide the design of high performing catalysts for the OER. The research progress of perovskite oxide catalysts in recent years in terms of surface composition, design morphology control and defect engineering is reviewed systematically. In particular, the Ir/Ru perovskite in acidic media that can be used in a proton exchange membrane water electrolyser (PEMWE) is discussed in detail. Finally, the existing problems of perovskite oxide based electrocatalysts and their prospects for practical applications in the OER are presented.