Unleashing the potential of transition metal phosphate-based materials for oxygen evolution reaction

Overuse of fossil fuels for increasing energy demand has increased significantly. An alternative to fossil fuels to reduce pollution is the current need. Production of oxygen by splitting of water by electrocatalysis is of great importance. Transition metal phosphates (TMPs) possess engineered morphology beneficial for improving surface area, which results in enhanced interaction between electrocatalytic electrode active sites and electrolytes. The phosphate group offers the benefit of attracting water molecules and promotes the formation of metal oxyhydroxides while facilitating water dissociation, making it an effective catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). TMPs lead to the evolution of oxygen in alkaline electrolytes by causing the dissociation of water, thereby triggering water splitting. The slow reaction dynamics of the OER hinder the oxygen evolution capacity of the anodic electrode and thus, a maximum efficiency and good-performance OER electrocatalyst development is the current need. This review aims to provide information for improving the electrocatalytic activity of TMPs. This review offers a summary of recent advancements and challenges in phosphate-based electrocatalysts, along with potential solutions and future perspectives.