Atomic Ga triggers spatiotemporal coordination of oxygen radicals for efficient water oxidation on crystalline RuO2

Advancements in proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer depend on developing oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts that synergize high activity with stability. Here, we introduce an approach aimed at elevating oxygen evolution reaction performance by enhancing the spatiotemporal coordination of oxygen radicals to promote efficient O-O coupling. A dense, single-atom configuration of oxygen radical donors within interconnected RuO2 nanocrystal framework is demonstrated. The stable oxygen radicals on gallium sites with adaptable Ga-O bonds are thermodynamically favorable to attract those from Ru sites, addressing dynamic adaptation challenges and boosting O-O coupling efficiency. The optimized catalyst…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai

  Award: 23ZR1479200
• SS
  Salt Science Research Foundation
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 52225204, BL01B, 52402231, 52272289, 52173233, 2021-01
• SE
  Shanghai Education Development Foundation

  Award: 20SG33
• SM
  Shanghai Municipal Education Commission

  Awards: 2021-01-07-00-03-E00109, 20SG33
• UO
  University of Science and Technology of China

  Award: BL01B
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: LZA2022001, 2232024Y, 2232024Y-01
• PF
  Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning

  Award: 23ZR1479200