Strategies to improve the activity and stability of Fe-based catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis

Iron-based catalysts show excellent potential in the field of oxygen electrocatalysis. However, the poor electroconductivity, low activity, and limited durability of Fe-based catalysts severely limit their applications. Rational design of high-performance Fe-based catalysts depends critically on a profound understanding of dynamic mechanisms under electrochemical conditions. Here, a fundamental understanding of dynamic oxygen electrocatalysis mechanisms for Fe-based oxygen electrocatalysts is first raised by combining in situ characterizations and theoretical simulations. By protruding structure–activity relationships, rational regulation strategies are explicitly put forward to facilitate the design of high-performance Fe-based oxygen electrocatalysts, including doping engineering, defect/vacancy engineering, and strain engineering. Furthermore, the degradation mechanisms and stability enhancement strategies are introduced. Finally, future perspectives and challenges are discussed.