“…In general, catalytic activity, expressed in [mol g –1 s –1 ], is proportional to intrinsic catalytic activity, expressed in [mol cm –2 s –1 ], and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), expressed in [cm 2 g –1 ]. − The practical application of non-Pt catalysts is mainly hindered by their lower (compared to that of Pt-based catalysts) intrinsic activity, which can be increased by alloying and doping. − However, more efficient methods of (i) precise doping level control and (ii) enhancing catalyst utilization efficiency through ECSA maximization are still required. Although selective etching with acids or halogen gas has been employed as a general strategy for carving nanometric voids in carbon, metal carbides, metals, and metal alloys, the electrochemical generation of atomic-scale pores has not been demonstrated, to the best of our knowledge. Because conventional methods used to impregnate porous carbon with metal catalysts often lead to electronic contact loss and Ostwald ripening–induced agglomeration, efficient strategies of preparing electrocatalysts with stable microporous structures and increased intrinsic activity are highly sought after.…”