Conventional catalyst design has predominantly focused on surface binding energies, the critical role of the electrode–electrolyte

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated challenges and stated research gap and limitations section and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2021 and 2026, spanning 6 journals. Those papers have been cited 380 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 7 representative gaps

• Decoupling charge‒discharge electrolysis for hydrogen evolution and organic oxidation reactions (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  Compromised catalyst stability and product selectivity in coupled electrolysis systems. Limited scalability of electrode architectures and reactor engineering. Requirement for high cell voltage input and significant energy consumption.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: compromised catalyst stability product selectivity coupled electrolysis systems
• An operationally broadened alkaline water electrolyser enabled by highly stable poly(oxindole biphenylene) ion-solvating membranes (2024) · Nature Energy · cited 104× · doi

  The existing gap in water electrolysis technologies is the lack of highly stable ion-solvating membranes. The high cost of precious metal-catalysts and the alkaline instability of anion-exchange-membranes limit their operational flexibility.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing gap water electrolysis technologies lack highly stable
• Dual-interface stabilization of low-iridium anodes for durable proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  The lack of a durable and cost-effective anode material for high-current density operation of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. The need for a generalizable design principle to extend electrolyzer lifetime and reduce precious-metal loading.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack durable cost-effective anode material high-current density operation
• Plasma‐Assisted Fabrication of Defect‐Rich Tri‐Phase NiRu Alloy/Carbon Shell Heterostructure with Ni‐O‐Ru Interfaces for Efficient and Durable Anion‐Exchange‐Membrane Water Electrolyzers (2026) · Small Methods · doi

  The lack of a suitable catalyst that can achieve high performance and durability in anion-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers. The need for a catalyst with high electrocatalytic activity and stability. The challenge of developing a catalyst that can maintain its performance over a long period.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack suitable catalyst achieve high performance durability anion-exchange-membrane
• Borate Anion‐Intercalated NiV‐LDH Nanoflakes/NiCoP Nanowires Heterostructures for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Selectivity in Seawater Splitting (2024) · Advanced Functional Materials · cited 86× · doi

  The study does not provide a comprehensive comparison with other existing electrocatalysts. The experimental results are limited to alkaline freshwater and alkaline seawater environments. The study relies on theoretical calculations and does not provide experimental validation for all aspects.

  generallimitations sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study does provide comprehensive comparison other existing electrocatalysts
• Inter‐relationships between Oxygen Evolution and Iridium Dissolution Mechanisms (2021) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · cited 190× · doi

  The widespread utilization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers currently remains uncertain, as they rely on the use of highly scarce iridium as the only viable catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is known to present the major energy losses of the process.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: widespread utilization proton exchange membrane electrolyzers currently remains uncertain rely highly scarce iridium viable catalyst
• Tuning Interfacial Water Dynamics via Gd‐Doped Cu 2 O for High‐Rate Selective CO 2 ‐to‐Ethanol Conversion (2026) · Advanced Energy Materials · doi

  While conventional catalyst design has predominantly focused on surface binding energies, the critical role of the electrode–electrolyte interface, specifically the structure of interfacial water, remains underexplored.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: conventional catalyst design predominantly focused surface binding energies critical role electrode electrolyte interface specifically structure

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