Surface Electron-Hole Rich Species Active in the Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation.

ABSTRACT: Iridium and ruthenium and their oxides/hydroxides are the best candidates for the oxygen evolution reaction under harsh acidic conditions owing to the low overpotentials observed for Ru- and Ir-based anodes and the high corrosion resistance of Ir-oxides. Herein, by means of cutting edge operando surface and bulk sensitive X-ray spectroscopy techniques, specifically designed electrode nanofabrication and ab initio DFT calculations, we were able to reveal the electronic structure of the active IrO_x centers (i.e., oxidation state) during electrocatalytic oxidation of water in the surface and bulk of high-performance Ir-based catalysts. We found the oxygen evolution reaction is controlled by the formation of empty Ir 5d states in the surface ascribed to the form

SUBMITTER: Velasco-Velez JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8397309 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature