Synthesis and catalytic behaviour of IrO2 nanostructures in acidic water oxidation

The increasing challenges of environmental pollution and energy shortages have intensified the need for the development of clean energy technologies. Among various renewable energy sources, hydrogen has gained considerable attention due to its great potential in tackling aforementioned issues. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key half-reaction in hydrogen production, and iridium dioxide (IrO 2 )-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising electrocatalysts for this process owing to their excellent catalytic activity and electrochemical stability. This review focuses on IrO 2 materials including pure IrO 2 , doped IrO 2 , IrO 2 nanocomposites and their application in OER. A handful of strategies such as doping, amorphous engineering, strain engineering and assembled nanocomposites have been explored to enhance their catalytic efficiency. Additionally, the challenges and limitations associated with IrO 2 materials in the application for OER are discussed, along with possible solutions for future research to address these issues. Finally, the review offers an outlook on future research directions, emphasizing the need for innovations in the design of IrO 2 nanostructures to optimize OER efficiency. This review aims to provide valuable insights into the crystal structure, synthesis, catalytic mechanisms and applications, as well as to promote the development of more efficient IrO 2 nanomaterials for electrocatalytic acid water oxidation.