Catalytically Influential Features in Transition Metal Oxides

The development of efficient catalysts is critical in advancing electrocatalysis techniques. While tremendous progress has been made on the perspective of optimizing the catalyst–reactant interaction, the influence from other properties has received relatively less attention to date. These properties are normally originated from the intrinsic solid-state properties and can be circumstantially influential on the reaction activity and reaction mechanism. In particular, transition metal oxides (TMOs) possess complex inherent features that enable a wide variety of catalytically influential properties. Therefore, understanding the inherent features in TMOs and mastering the strategies to take full advantage of them will bring opportunities for further advances. Here we provide an overview of the inherent features in TMOs and conceptually discuss how they can alter the catalytic behaviors in electrocatalysis. Perspectives to take full advantage of these features are also proposed for a better design of TMO-based electrocatalysts.