Design Principles of Single Atom Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: From Targeted Structures to Active Sites.

Hydrogen production from electrolytic water is considered a viable method for hydrogen production with significant social value due to its clean and pollution-free nature, high hydrogen production efficiency and purity, but the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process is complex and kinetically slow. Single atom catalysts (SACs) with 100% atom utilization and homogeneous active sites often exhibit high catalytic activity and are expected to be extensively applied. The catalytic performance of OER can be further improved by precise regulation of the structure through electronic effects, coordination environment, hybrid atom doping and so on. In this review, we introduce the mechanisms of OER under different conditions, systematically summarize the latest research progress of SACs in the field of OER, then discuss the effects of various structural regulation strategies on catalytic performance, and propose principles and ideas for the design of SACs for OER. In the end, we summarize the outstanding issues and current challenges in this field. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.