Water electrolysis is a pivotal expertise for renewable hydrogen manufacturing. Iron (Fe), as a consequence of its considerable reserves, low price, versatile valence states, tunable coordination constructions, and co-friendliness beneath alkaline situations, makes it a key different to valuable metals as a catalytic heart. Though in depth research have demonstrated that Fe websites can considerably enhance the oxygen evolution response (OER) efficiency of non-precious steel catalysts, there’s nonetheless no profoundly understanding on the intrinsic position for Fe websites within the OER course of. This paper systematically critiques the core perform of Fe websites in nanocatalysts throughout water electrolysis, together with their digital and spin constructions, catalytic behaviors and basic response mechanisms. It addresses how digital construction, valence evolution and coordination atmosphere regulate intermediate adsorption, desorption limitations and response pathways, and summarizes typical methods for introducing Fe websites and optimizing catalytic exercise and stability. Furthermore, the superior characterization for figuring out active-site evolution can also be highlighted. Lastly, the challenges dealing with Fe websites in catalysts and corresponding options are analyzed and provides an outlook for the rational design and large-scale software of non-precious steel catalysts by Fe-introduction.
