The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the primary challenge in renewable energy storage technologies, specifically electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation. The development of affordable, robust, and efficient OER electrocatalysts plays a prominent role in water splitting by lowering the reaction kinetics barrier and boosting the performance of the process. This review discusses the recent progress in probing the electronic structure of catalytically active materials and its relevance to OER activity. We have aimed to emphasize state-of-the-art engineering strategies for modulating the electronic structure to exhibit ideal OER performance, including doping, alloying, generation of oxygen vacancies, heterostructure realization, and strain engineering. Finally, we summarize the existing challenges and opportunities in electronic structure modulation for future electrocatalyst development.

中文翻译：

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电化学水氧化的电子结构工程

析氧反应 (OER) 是可再生能源存储技术的主要挑战，特别是用于制氢的电化学水分解。通过降低反应动力学障碍和提高过程性能，开发经济实惠、稳健且高效的 OER 电催化剂在水分解中发挥着重要作用。本综述讨论了探索催化活性材料的电子结构及其与 OER 活性相关性的最新进展。我们的目标是强调用于调节电子结构以展示理想 OER 性能的最先进的工程策略，包括掺杂、合金化、氧空位的产生、异质结构的实现和应变工程。最后，