Modulation strategies for acidic oxygen evolution catalysts

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a highly efficient, eco-friendly hydrogen generation technology. With advantages such as fast response and superior energy efficiency, it is a crucial pathway for the clean energy transition. However, the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) suffers from sluggish kinetics. Moreover, the acidic environment leads to insufficient stability of most catalysts, restricting the efficiency and lifespan of PEMWE. Thus, the design of acidic OER catalysts that combine high activity with long-term durability remains a key bottleneck for its large-scale application. This paper systematically elucidates the basic reaction mechanism of acidic OER, reviews the research progress of catalysts based on noble metals and those based on non-noble metals, and analyzes performance enhancement strategies from electronic and geometric structural perspectives. Furthermore, it discusses the application performance in high current density electrolytic devices, analyzes the main technical bottlenecks in the industrialization process, and proposes future development directions for this field.