Progress and Challenges of Transition Metal‐Based Compound Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media

Water electrolysis is a pivotal route for hydrogen production. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at the anode is a key step in this process, necessitating efficient electrocatalysts to accelerate the inherently sluggish and complex reaction kinetics. To replace the traditional noble metal catalysts, transition metal‐based compounds (TMCs) catalysts have attracted widespread attention due to their high electronic conductivity, tunable electronic configurations, and relatively low cost. Nevertheless, achieving long‐term stability in alkaline media for these catalysts remains a severe challenge. This comprehensive review provides an in‐depth analysis of various advanced TMCs catalysts. We mainly summarize the research progress regarding the active sites of the first‐row transition metal elements in alkaline OER. More importantly, this review delves into strategies aimed to enhancing the activity and stability of TMCs catalysts, adopting an electronic modulation perspective. These strategies encompass defect, doping, and interface engineering. Moreover, this review reveals the OER mechanism and current development status of TMCs catalysts from the perspective of catalyst dynamic reconstruction. Finally, several challenges and prospects for improving the performance of TMCs catalysts are proposed. It is anticipated that the contribution will offer valuable insights and guidance for the rational design of more efficient TMCs catalysts toward OER.