4f-modified Ru-O polarity as a descriptor for efficient electrocatalytic acidic oxygen evolution.

ABSTRACT: The development of non-iridium-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is crucial for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), but hydrogen production remains a great challenge because of sluggish OER kinetics and severe catalyst dissolution. Here, we present a 4f-induced covalent polarity modulation strategy for the construction of 4f-orbital-modified RuO₂ (4f-RuO₂) nanocatalysts with tunable Ru-O polarity. We find that the OER activity of 4f-RuO₂ shows a volcano shape as a function of the polarity of Ru-O bond. Consequently, the best 4f-Nd-RuO₂ catalyst possesses an ultra-low overpotential of 214 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 and robust electrochemical stability in 0.1 M HClO₄. Theoretical calculations coupled with

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12304141 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature