Switching the Oxygen Evolution Mechanism on Atomically Dispersed Ru for Enhanced Acidic Reaction Kinetics

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07777
• Publication Date: 2023-10-23T18:29:58Z
• Authors: Yixin Hao; Sung-Fu Hung; Wen-Jing Zeng; Ye Wang; Chenchen Zhang; Chun-Han Kuo; Luqi Wang; Sheng Zhao; Ying Zhang; Han-Yi Chen; Shengjie Peng
• Keywords: Oxygen evolution; Reaction intermediate

Designing stable single-atom electrocatalysts with lower energy barriers is urgent for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction. In particular, atomic catalysts are highly dependent on kinetically sluggish acid-base mechanism, limiting reaction paths of intermediates. Herein, we successfully manipulate steric localization Ru single atoms at Co3O4 surface to improve by precise control anchor sites. The delicate structure design can switch mechanism from lattice (LOM) optimized adsorbate (AEM). embedded into cation vacancies reveal an that activates proton donor-acceptor function (PDAM), demonstrating a new catalytic pathway circumvent classic scaling relationship. Steric interactions intermediates anchored Ru-O-Co interface played primary role in optimizing intermediates' conformation and reducing barrier. As comparison, confined sites exhibit process. result, atom spatial position presents 100-fold increase mass activity 36.96 A gRu(ads)-1 4012.11 gRu(anc)-1 1.50 V. These findings offer insights behavior.