Unravelling The Secrets: How Catalyst Reconstruction Redefines Superior Oxygen-Evolving Chemistry

Abstract

The reconstruction of the surface of catalysts is central in increasing the effectiveness of oxygen evolution reactions, which is essential in processes such as water splitting, metal-air batteries, and fuel cells. For instance, traditional catalysts have their demerits such as high cost, scarcity, and slow reaction rates. Catalyst reconstruction, which means the change of the structure and the composition of a catalyst, seems to be the most effective solution. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficiency of different reconstruction strategies and identifies electrochemical cycling as the most efficient approach. Correlation analyses further emphasize the importance of catalyst composition and morphology, where Ni/Fe composition and morphology have negative overpotential and Tafel slope coefficients, respectively. The results of the structural equation modelling show that both structural and compositional changes have a positive effect on the increase in OER activity and stability, although the effect of compositional changes is slightly higher. The results are consistent with current literature, stressing the importance of reconstructing catalyst supports for improving OER performance, providing guidance for further catalyst design and enhancement.