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High-entropy RuO2 catalyst with dual-site oxide path for durable acidic oxygen evolution reaction

Author

Listed:
  • Fangren Qian

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Dengfeng Cao

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Shuangming Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yalong Yuan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Kai Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Peter Joseph Chimtali

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Hengjie Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Wei Jiang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Beibei Sheng

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Luocai Yi

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jiabao Huang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Chengsi Hu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huxu Lei

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xiaojun Wu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhenhai Wen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qingjun Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Li Song

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Zhejiang Institute of Photonelectronics)

Abstract

Developing durable acidic oxygen evolution reaction catalysts is critical for industrial proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. We incorporate high-entropy atoms (Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, Sm) into RuO2 (RuO2-HEAE) via annealing, achieving remarkably high stability (>1500 h at 100 mA cm−2). In situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry and operando Attenuated Total Reflection Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy reveal RuO2-HEAE follows a dual-site oxide path mechanism instead of the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism. Quantitative Fourier-transformed extended X-ray absorption fine structure fitting and density functional theory calculations show this mechanistic shift stems from an elongated Ru-M distance in second coordination shell of RuO2-HEAE, enabling direct O-O coupling. This OPM-type catalyst delivers ~1500 h of stable operation at 1 A cm−2 and 50 °C, demonstrating superior durability versus most reported RuO2-based catalysts. This work provides fundamental insights for designing highly stable proton exchange membrane water electrolysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Fangren Qian & Dengfeng Cao & Shuangming Chen & Yalong Yuan & Kai Chen & Peter Joseph Chimtali & Hengjie Liu & Wei Jiang & Beibei Sheng & Luocai Yi & Jiabao Huang & Chengsi Hu & Huxu Lei & Xiaojun Wu , 2025. "High-entropy RuO2 catalyst with dual-site oxide path for durable acidic oxygen evolution reaction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61763-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61763-5
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