Operando identification of the oxide path mechanism with different dual-active sites for acidic water oxidation

The microscopic reaction pathway plays a crucial role in determining the electrochemical performance. However, artificially manipulating the reaction pathway still faces considerable challenges. In this study, we focus on the classical acidic water oxidation based on RuO2 catalysts, which currently face the issues of low activity and poor stability. As a proof-of-concept, we propose a strategy to create local structural symmetry but oxidation-state asymmetric Mn4-δ-O-Ru4+δ active sites by introducing Mn atoms into RuO2 host, thereby switching the reaction pathway from traditional adsorbate evolution mechanism to oxide path mechanism. Through advanced operando synchrotron spectroscopies and density functional…

• SS
  Salt Science Research Foundation
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 12305364, 52373266, 12275271
• UO
  University of Science and Technology of China
• NS
  National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 2021YFA1600800, 2023YFF0716100
• BS
  Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility