Jahn-Teller Effect: Impact of Distortion on Oxygen Electrocatalysis

The efficiency of water electrolysis is constrained by the substantial energy requirements of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. It is crucial to solve the issue for efficient and energy-efficient device manufacture. Geometric distortion in transition metal complexes significantly affects their performance. The Jahn-Teller (J.T.) distortion is a geometric distortion that results in various electronic and structural alterations in transition metal complexes. Recently, there have been notable studies that emphasize the significance of the existence and suppression of the J.T. distortion and its influence on OER activity. Degenerated electronic states in metal centers such as Mn3+, Co3+, and Cu2+ induce asymmetric ligand coordination, resulting in distortion, which stabilizes the reactive intermediates on the catalyst surface. This review examines several types of materials exhibiting J.T. distortion and their influence on OER activity. The experimental and theoretical examination of the J.T. distortion has also been discussed in length. The molecular orbital diagram has been employed for a clearer and enhanced comprehension of the distortion in the transition metal compounds. This review offers a detailed overview of the J.T. distortion and its implications for oxygen electrocatalysis, serving as a foundational reference for researchers in the field of electrocatalysis.