Dynamic Active Sites in Electrocatalysis

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2024-12, Vol.63 (50), p.e202415794-n/a
• Main Authors: Ning, Minghui, Wang, Sangni, Wan, Jun, Xi, Zichao, Chen, Qiao, Sun, Yuanmiao, Li, Hui, Ma, Tianyi, Jin, Huanyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; dynamic active sites; dynamic reconstruction; Electrocatalysis; Electrocatalysts; Energy conversion; in situ/operando characterization; Review; structure–activity correlations; Sustainable energy
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202415794

In‐depth understanding of the real‐time behaviors of active sites during electrocatalysis is essential for the advancement of sustainable energy conversion. Recently, the concept of dynamic active sites has been recognized as a potent approach for creating self‐adaptive electrocatalysts that can address a variety of electrocatalytic reactions, outperforming traditional electrocatalysts with static active sites. Nonetheless, the comprehension of the underlying principles that guide the engineering of dynamic active sites is presently insufficient. In this review, we systematically analyze the fundamentals of dynamic active sites for electrocatalysis and consider important future directions for this emerging field. We reveal that dynamic behaviors and reversibility are two crucial factors that influence electrocatalytic performance. By reviewing recent advances in dynamic active sites, we conclude that implementing dynamic electrocatalysis through variable reaction environments, correlating the model of dynamic evolution with catalytic properties, and developing localized and ultrafast in situ/operando techniques are keys to designing high‐performance dynamic electrocatalysts. This review paves the way to the development of the next‐generation electrocatalyst and the universal theory for both dynamic and static active sites. The dynamic evolutions of active sites are ubiquitous in electrocatalysis due to the applied potentials and reaction environments. The study on dynamic active sites deciphers the intrinsic structure–property relationships and provides more comprehensive insights into the interaction between electrocatalysts and electrochemical reactions.