Zhang-Rice singlets state formed by two-step oxidation for triggering water oxidation under operando conditions.

ABSTRACT: The production of ecologically compatible fuels by electrochemical water splitting is highly desirable for modern industry. The Zhang-Rice singlet is well known for the superconductivity of high-temperature superconductors cuprate, but is rarely known for an electrochemical catalyst. Herein, we observe two steps of surface reconstruction from initial catalytic inactive Cu¹⁺ in hydrogen treated Cu₂O to Cu²⁺ state and further to catalytic active Zhang-Rice singlet state during the oxygen evolution reaction for water splitting. The hydrogen treated Cu₂O catalyst exhibits a superior catalytic activity and stability for water splitting and is an efficient rival of other 3d-transition-metal catalysts. Multiple operando spectroscopies indicate that Zhan

SUBMITTER: Peng CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9892518 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature