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Bioinspired Sulfo oxygen bridges optimize interfacial water structure for enhanced hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions

Author

Listed:
  • Chengdong Yang

    (Shandong University)

  • Yun Gao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Zhengyu Xing

    (Sichuan University)

  • Xinxin Shu

    (Shandong University)

  • Zechao Zhuang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yueqing Wang

    (Shandong University)

  • Yijuan Zheng

    (Sichuan University)

  • Shuang Li

    (Sichuan University)

  • Chong Cheng

    (Sichuan University)

  • Dingsheng Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jintao Zhang

    (Shandong University)

Abstract

Uncovering the dynamic structures of water at the electrode-solution interface is crucial for various electrocatalysis processes, where water acts as a proton and electron source. However, precisely controlling the state of water on complex interfaces remains challenging. Inspired by the metalloproteins in natural enzymes, we herein demonstrate that the hydrophilic sulfo-oxygen bridging between Co and Ru sites (Cos-SO-Ru) optimizes interfacial water structure via a favorable hydrogen-bond network, promoting hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions. Mechanistic studies reveal that the stereoscopic sulfo-oxygen bridges enhance the connectivity of hydrogen-bond network to promote the proton transfer process via repelling cations from the electrode surface. Furthermore, electron donating Co sites reduce the surface oxophilicity of Ru to optimize the adsorption-desorption behaviors of hydroxyl, governing the timely refreshed Ru sites to enhance catalytic performances. Such bioinspired active sites offer a different pathway for the precise design of interfacial water structure to improve electrocatalysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Chengdong Yang & Yun Gao & Zhengyu Xing & Xinxin Shu & Zechao Zhuang & Yueqing Wang & Yijuan Zheng & Shuang Li & Chong Cheng & Dingsheng Wang & Jintao Zhang, 2025. "Bioinspired Sulfo oxygen bridges optimize interfacial water structure for enhanced hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61871-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61871-2
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