Electricity-driven proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers are a promising technology to produce dihydrogen gas (H₂). However, this technology is limited by the anodic oxygen evolution reaction that controls the overall operation efficiency, since only few electrocatalysts are efficient under the strongly acidic and oxidative conditions. Accordingly, there is a need for electrocatalysts with high activity, high stability, and low cost for the reaction of acidic oxygen evolution. Here, we review electrocatalysis using the acidic oxygen evolution reaction. We discuss two mechanisms of the oxygen evolution reaction: the adsorbate evolution mechanism and the lattice oxygen mechanism. We then summarize strategies to improve the performance of electrocatalysts by active site engineering, electron distribution optimization, interaction modulation, vacancy engineering, and lattice strain regulation. Challenges include the understanding of mechanisms of the oxygen evolution reaction, the operation durability at industrial currents, the flow reactor design of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers, the alternative reactions, the development of nonprecious metal-based electrocatalysts, and large-scale synthetic approaches of electrocatalysts. Finally, precautions for electrochemical tests are proposed.

电驱动质子交换膜水电解槽是一种很有前景的生产氢气（H ₂）。然而，该技术受到控制整体运行效率的阳极析氧反应的限制，因为在强酸性和氧化条件下只有少数电催化剂是有效的。因此，需要一种用于酸性析氧反应的高活性、高稳定性和低成本的电催化剂。在这里，我们回顾了使用酸性析氧反应的电催化。我们讨论了析氧反应的两种机制：吸附物析出机制和晶格氧机制。然后，我们总结了通过活性位点工程、电子分布优化、相互作用调制、空位工程和晶格应变调节来提高电催化剂性能的策略。挑战包括对析氧反应机理的理解、工业电流下的操作耐久性、质子交换膜水电解槽的流动反应器设计、替代反应、非贵金属基电催化剂的开发以及大规模合成方法。电催化剂。最后，提出了电化学测试的注意事项。