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Support-tuned iridium reconstruction with crystalline phase dominating acidic oxygen evolution

Author

Listed:
  • Kexin Zhang

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiao Liang

    (Jilin University)

  • Yucheng Wang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Yongcun Zou

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiao Zhao

    (Jilin University)

  • Hui Chen

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiaoxin Zou

    (Jilin University)

Abstract

The dynamic reconstruction of oxygen evolution electrocatalysts dictates their performance, yet conventional Ir-based materials face an inherent activity-stability trade-off due to surface amorphization into hydrous IrOx phases accompanied by lattice oxygen mechanisms. Here, we uncover a distinct reconstruction pathway for supported Ir nanoparticles, where a TiOx@Ti substrate drives a bulk phase transition from metallic Ir to crystalline rutile IrO2 during electrocatalysis. Unlike surface-limited amorphization, this support-guided crystallization shifts the reaction mechanism from involving lattice oxygen mechanism to the complete adsorbate evolution mechanism, as confirmed by mechanistic and structural analyses. Consequently, the Ir/TiOx@Ti catalyst achieves both high activity and durability in acidic media, demonstrated in three-electrode systems and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. This work redefines support roles in electrocatalyst reconstruction, demonstrating that bulk phase engineering—rather than surface modification—resolves the long-standing efficiency-durability conflict in acidic oxygen evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Kexin Zhang & Xiao Liang & Yucheng Wang & Yongcun Zou & Xiao Zhao & Hui Chen & Xiaoxin Zou, 2025. "Support-tuned iridium reconstruction with crystalline phase dominating acidic oxygen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63541-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63541-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yu Du & Fakang Xie & Mengfei Lu & Rongxian Lv & Wangxi Liu & Yuandong Yan & Shicheng Yan & Zhigang Zou, 2024. "Continuous strain tuning of oxygen evolution catalysts with anisotropic thermal expansion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Juan Wang & Lili Han & Bolong Huang & Qi Shao & Huolin L. Xin & Xiaoqing Huang, 2019. "Amorphization activated ruthenium-tellurium nanorods for efficient water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Lingxi Zhou & Yangfan Shao & Fang Yin & Jia Li & Feiyu Kang & Ruitao Lv, 2023. "Stabilizing non-iridium active sites by non-stoichiometric oxide for acidic water oxidation at high current density," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Yaoda Liu & Lei Li & Li Wang & Na Li & Xiaoxu Zhao & Ya Chen & Thangavel Sakthivel & Zhengfei Dai, 2024. "Janus electronic state of supported iridium nanoclusters for sustainable alkaline water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Jia-Wei Zhao & Kaihang Yue & Hong Zhang & Shu-Yin Wei & Jiawei Zhu & Dongdong Wang & Junze Chen & Vyacheslav Yu. Fominski & Gao-Ren Li, 2024. "The formation of unsaturated IrOx in SrIrO3 by cobalt-doping for acidic oxygen evolution reaction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
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