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Atomic Ga triggers spatiotemporal coordination of oxygen radicals for efficient water oxidation on crystalline RuO2

Author

Listed:
  • Haifeng Wang

    (Ningbo University of Technology
    Donghua University)

  • Chao Lin

    (Ningbo University of Technology
    Donghua University)

  • Lei Tan

    (Donghua University)

  • Jing Shen

    (Donghua University)

  • Xiaotong Wu

    (Donghua University)

  • Xiangxiang Pan

    (Donghua University)

  • Yonghui Zhao

    (Pudong New District)

  • Haojie Zhang

    (Weinberg 2)

  • Yu Sun

    (North-10 West-8 Kita-ku)

  • Bingbao Mei

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Han-Don Um

    (Department of Chemical Engineering Kangwon National University Chuncheon)

  • Qi Xiao

    (Ningbo University of Technology
    Donghua University)

  • Wan Jiang

    (Donghua University)

  • Xiaopeng Li

    (Ningbo University of Technology
    Donghua University)

  • Wei Luo

    (Ningbo University of Technology
    Donghua University)

Abstract

Advancements in proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer depend on developing oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts that synergize high activity with stability. Here, we introduce an approach aimed at elevating oxygen evolution reaction performance by enhancing the spatiotemporal coordination of oxygen radicals to promote efficient O-O coupling. A dense, single-atom configuration of oxygen radical donors within interconnected RuO2 nanocrystal framework is demonstrated. The stable oxygen radicals on gallium sites with adaptable Ga-O bonds are thermodynamically favorable to attract those from Ru sites, addressing dynamic adaptation challenges and boosting O-O coupling efficiency. The optimized catalyst achieves a low overpotential of 188 mV at 10 mA cm-2, operates robustly for 800 h at 100 mA cm-2 in acidic conditions, and shows a large current density of 3 A cm-2 at 1.788 V, with stable performance at 0.5 A cm-2 for 200 h, confirming its long-term viability in proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Haifeng Wang & Chao Lin & Lei Tan & Jing Shen & Xiaotong Wu & Xiangxiang Pan & Yonghui Zhao & Haojie Zhang & Yu Sun & Bingbao Mei & Han-Don Um & Qi Xiao & Wan Jiang & Xiaopeng Li & Wei Luo, 2025. "Atomic Ga triggers spatiotemporal coordination of oxygen radicals for efficient water oxidation on crystalline RuO2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58346-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58346-9
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