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Modulating the covalency of Ru-O bonds by dynamic reconstruction for efficient acidic oxygen evolution

Author

Listed:
  • Luqi Wang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Sung-Fu Hung

    (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University)

  • Sheng Zhao

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Yue Wang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Suwan Bi

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Shaoxiong Li

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Jian-Jie Ma

    (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University)

  • Chenchen Zhang

    (Jiangnan University)

  • Ying Zhang

    (Jiangnan University)

  • Linlin Li

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Tsung-Yi Chen

    (National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center)

  • Han-Yi Chen

    (National Tsing Hua University)

  • Feng Hu

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Yuping Wu

    (Southeast University)

  • Shengjie Peng

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
    Southeast University)

Abstract

Developing ruthenium-based oxide catalysts capable of suppressing lattice oxygen participation in the catalytic reaction process is crucial for maintaining stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under acidic conditions. Herein, we delicately construct a RuO2 nanoparticle-anchored LiCoO2 nanosheet electrocatalyst (RuO2/LiCoO2), achieving dynamic optimization of RuO2 during the reaction process and improving catalytic stability. Benefiting from the unique electrochemical delithiation characteristics of the LiCoO2 support, the covalency of the Ru-O bond is effectively regulated during the OER process. The weakened Ru-O covalent bond inhibits the participation of lattice oxygen in the catalytic reaction and ensures the continuous operation of the Ru active sites. Moreover, the extended Ru-O bond in the optimized RuO2/LiCoO2 catalyst reduces the formation energy barrier of the *OOH intermediates, accelerating the progress of the OER. As a result, the RuO2/LiCoO2 catalyst requires only an overpotential of 150 ± 2 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 and operates stably for 2000 h at 1 A cm−2 in a proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. This work opens new avenues for designing efficient ruthenium-based catalysts.

Suggested Citation

  • Luqi Wang & Sung-Fu Hung & Sheng Zhao & Yue Wang & Suwan Bi & Shaoxiong Li & Jian-Jie Ma & Chenchen Zhang & Ying Zhang & Linlin Li & Tsung-Yi Chen & Han-Yi Chen & Feng Hu & Yuping Wu & Shengjie Peng, 2025. "Modulating the covalency of Ru-O bonds by dynamic reconstruction for efficient acidic oxygen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58654-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58654-0
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