sluggish orr and oer, due to complex proton-coupled electron transfer processes ?

Yes, you are correct. The sluggish ORR and OER processes are indeed attributed to the complex proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes involved.

During PCET, both electrons and protons are transferred simultaneously, making the overall reaction more complicated. The ORR and OER involve the transfer of multiple electrons and protons, which increases the complexity further.

The rate-limiting step in these processes is often the transfer of both electrons and protons together, which requires the breaking and formation of chemical bonds. This involves overcoming energy barriers and can result in slow kinetics.

To overcome this challenge, researchers are focusing on developing catalysts that can facilitate the PCET processes effectively. These catalysts can provide active sites for both electron and proton transfer, reducing the energy barriers and enhancing the reaction rates. Furthermore, understanding the fundamental mechanisms of PCET and designing strategies to optimize the reaction conditions can also contribute to improving the sluggish ORR and OER kinetics.