Dr. Harol Moreno, in collaboration with Dr. Esmaeil Adabifiroozjaei from the Advanced Electron Microscopy Division at Technical University of Darmstadt, highlight in this work the critical role of the metal support layer in modulating the electrocatalytic behavior of NiO thin films for the oxygen evolution reaction. Through comparative analysis of Pt, Au, and Ni support metals, we demonstrate that the interfacial electronic structure governed by band alignment, charge transfer resistance, and surface chemistry directly impacts the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of OER activity. These findings reveal that the metal support is not merely a passive current collector but an active component that influences interfacial energetics and catalytic pathways. Optimal performance arises not from minimizing resistance alone, but from achieving a synergistic balance between interfacial charge transfer, catalytic site accessibility, and favorable reaction energetics. These findings highlight the significance of substrate selection and interfacial electronic structure engineering in designing next-generation electrocatalyst systems