Structural self-reconstruction and synchrotron radiation characterization of oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts

Self-reconstruction during oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process is considered to be the key to highly active catalysts, while tracking the dynamic changes of catalysts during OER process and identifying the true active sites are challenging. Synchrotron radiation characterizations can obtain the local atomic coordination environment and electron information of specific elements in materials. In particular, in-situ characterization methods can monitor the dynamic evolution of surface oxidation state and local atomic structure transformation under working conditions, which can promote the fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism. In this review, we discuss recent advances and propose some perspectives in self-reconstruction of OER electrocatalysts, which mainly summarizes the fundamental origin of self-reconstruction behavior and the application of in-situ synchrotron radiation characterization technology to track the dynamic process of self-reconstruction process and to identify the true active sites. Finally, we put forward some challenges and prospects for the development and promotion of self-reconstruction of OER electrocatalysts, hoping to provide guidance for the rational design of advanced OER electrocatalysts.