The sluggish kinetics of the HER and OER has seriously

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and stated challenges and abstract and future work of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 5 journals. Those papers have been cited 399 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Geometric and Electronic Engineering of Hydrogen Peroxide Production Electrocatalysts (2026) · Nano-Micro Letters · doi

  The complexity of the composition and structure of the catalytically active site poses a significant challenge to understanding the relationship between the geometric/electronic structures and ORR activity/selectivity. There is a need for the development of efficient and selective electrocatalysts for H2O2 production.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: complexity composition structure catalytically active site poses significant
• Geometric and Electronic Engineering of Hydrogen Peroxide Production Electrocatalysts (2026) · Nano-Micro Letters · doi

  The complexity of the composition and structure of the catalytically active site. Many metals have more negative dissolution potential than oxygen reduction potential and will dissolve during the operating condition. The need for efficient and selective electrocatalysts for H2O2 production.

  generalstated challenges
  Keywords: complexity composition structure catalytically active site many metals
• Rare-earth element doped NiFe-MOFs as efficient and robust bifunctional electrocatalysts for both alkaline freshwater and seawater splitting (2024) · Chemical Science · cited 43× · doi

  The sluggish kinetics of the HER and OER has seriously hindered the advancement of this promising technology. The high costs and low reserves of benchmark electrocatalysts, such as Pt/C and IrO 2 (RuO 2 ), are a significant challenge.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: sluggish kinetics her oer has seriously hindered advancement
• Constructing sulfur and oxygen super-coordinated main-group electrocatalysts for selective and cumulative H2O2 production (2024) · Nature Communications · cited 112× · doi

  The inferior H2O2 selectivity and diminished H2O2 yield of traditional electrocatalysts. The lack of efficient and selective electrocatalysts for H2O2 production. The need for a more efficient and selective alternative to traditional methods.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: inferior h2o2 selectivity diminished yield traditional electrocatalysts lack
• Sequential oxygen evolution and decoupled water splitting via electrochemical redox reaction of nickel hydroxides (2024) · Nature Communications · cited 80× · doi

  Alkaline water electrolysis is a promising low-cost strategy for clean and sustainable hydrogen production but is largely limited by the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction and the challenges in maintaining adequate separation between H2 and O2.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: alkaline water electrolysis promising cost strategy clean sustainable hydrogen production largely limited sluggish anodic oxygen
• Coupling oxygen reduction and water oxidation for concerted H2O2 production: a sustainable paired-electrosynthesis strategy (2026) · Energy Materials · doi

  Coupling the cathodic 2e- ORR with the anodic 2e- WOR to realize concerted H2O2 generation via paired electrosynthesis represents a sustainable electrochemical route that simultaneously improves electronic utilization and energy efficiency. Using O2 and H2O as feedstocks, H2O2 can be produced concurrently at both electrodes, which in principle drives the cell-level FE toward the ~200% upper limit and avoids the energy waste associated with employing the low-value OER as a sacrificial anodic process. In recent years, systematic progress has been achieved across both bifunctional electrode catalysts and electrolyzer configurations. Nevertheless, there is a broad consensus that 2e- ORR//WOR concerted H2O2 production remains largely at the laboratory proof-of-concept stage, and several critical gaps must still be closed before engineering-scale implementation. Firstly, prioritizing the 2e- WOR pathway as the key breakthrough involves enhancing its selectivity, activity, and high-current compatibility. Relative to 2e- ORR, the efficiency and selectivity of 2e- WOR are more likely to constitute the bottleneck at the full-cell level, and deficiencies on the anodic side can directly cap the overall performance of paired systems. Future efforts should therefore advance in parallel along (i) suppression of competing reaction pathways; and (ii) regulation of key intermediate adsorption/turnover, with particular emphasis on maintaining 2e- WOR selectivity at high current densities through material design and scalable electrode engineering. Additionally, a critical future direction lies in resolving the incompatibility of disparate electrolytes. This can be achieved through the rational design of membranes and robust solid-state electrolytes, which are pivotal for minimizing cross-contamination and enabling the continuous production of high-purity H2O2. Prior studies have underscored the need for ion-transport membranes, while also noting that electrocatalytically produced H2O2 is frequently contaminated with electrolytes, which limits downstream utilization. Consequently, solid-state electrolytes and pure-water Lu et al. Energy Mater. 2026, 6, 600079 Page 23 of 30 Figure 10. Paired electrosynthesis of H2O2: from lab to application operation are promising directions. In light of progress in polymer solid electrolytes and MEA concepts for H2O2 electrosynthesis, it is plausible that new electrolyzer paradigms will emerge for distributed production, featuring low electrolyte carryover or even electrolyte-free operation. And, the interplay between mechanism and characterization provides operando evidence, establishing a direct link between the 2e- ORR//WOR synergy and the mitigation of side reactions. On the WOR side, bicarbonate/carbonate electrolytes may involve mediator pathways such as carbonate radicals and percarbonate species.

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: electrolytes anodic paired electrosynthesis energy production selectivity high side solid concerted utilization efficiency produced cell
• Coupling oxygen reduction and water oxidation for concerted H2O2 production: a sustainable paired-electrosynthesis strategy (2026) · Energy Materials · doi

  The lack of a sustainable and efficient method for H2O2 production. The limited understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms of the paired-electrosynthesis strategy. The need for further research on the scalability and practicality of the process.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack sustainable efficient method h2o2 production limited understanding
• Enhancing H2O2 Electrosynthesis at Industrial-Relevant Current in Acidic Media on Diatomic Cobalt Sites (2024) · Journal of the American Chemical Society · cited 164× · doi

  Electrocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in acidic media is an efficient and eco-friendly approach to produce inherently stable H2O2, but limited by the lack of selective and stable catalysts under industrial-relevant current densities.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: stable electrocatalytic synthesis hydrogen peroxide acidic media efficient friendly approach produce inherently limited lack selective

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