Research Progress on Surface Reconstruction Regulated Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst Performance

Junjie Wen; Lixiang Ding; Zhen Yuan; Junyi Zhang; Wen Lei; Haijun Zhang

doi:10.7536/PC20250609

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2) : 237-251. DOI: 10.7536/PC20250609

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Research Progress on Surface Reconstruction Regulated Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst Performance

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Abstract

During the oxygen evolution reaction （OER），the surface reconstruction phenomenon of catalysts is closely related to the enhancement of their catalytic performance. However，the mechanistic understanding of catalyst surface reconstruction remains incomplete，particularly the technical bottlenecks in achieving controlled surface reconstruction and precise regulation of active sites. To address this，this article systematically elucidates two OER catalytic mechanisms-the adsorbate evolution mechanism （AEM） and the lattice oxygen oxidation mechanism （LOM） and analyzes the influence of pH，temperature，and applied potential on the surface reconstruction behavior of catalysts. Key mechanisms such as ion leaching （cation/anion leaching），elemental doping （metal/non-metal doping），and size effect modulation are summarized to reveal the relationship between surface reconstruction and catalytic activity of the OER catalysts. This work aims to provide theoretical support for the development of high-performance OER electrocatalysts. Finally，based on the challenges and prospects faced by surface-reconstructed OER catalysts，the potential impact of controlled reconstruction on the catalytic performance is prospected.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 OER catalytic mechanisms

2.1 Adsorbate evolution mechanism

2.2 Lattice oxygen oxidation mechanism

3 Surface reconstruction

3.1 Fundamental principles of surface reconstruction

3.2 Factors influencing surface reconstruction

4 Strategies for modulating oer catalyst surface reconstruction

4.1 Ion leaching

4.2 Elemental doping

4.3 Size regulation

5 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

oxygen evolution reaction / surface reconstruction / catalytic performance

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Junjie Wen , Lixiang Ding , Zhen Yuan , et al . Research Progress on Surface Reconstruction Regulated Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst Performance[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(2): 237-251 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20250609

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