Atomic vacancy defect-induced dual active sites synergistic catalysis for oxygen evolution reaction

Water electrolysis is widely regarded as one of the most promising technologies for hydrogen production. However, the high thermodynamic energy barrier and sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) result in increased energy consumption, which limits its practical application. Despite significant efforts to design and develop various catalysts for OER, their catalytic activity and durability remain suboptimal, especially for industrial-scale applications. Recent advancements in research have demonstrated that atomic vacancy defects, which facilitate the modulation of the catalyst's electronic structure, optimization of reaction pathways, and acceleration of charge transfer, play a crucial role in enhancing catalytic activity and durability. These defects have been widely employed in the development of efficient OER catalysts. Notably, numerous studies have shown that atomic vacancy defects can directly influence and even induce synergistic effects between dual active sites, yet this process remains insufficiently understood and lacks comprehensive elucidation. Therefore, this review provides a systematic overview of how atomic vacancy defects, encompassing both support defects and intrinsic catalyst defects, modulate or facilitate synergistic catalysis at dual active sites.