Ligand-Confinement-Induced Catalyst–Support Interface Interactions in Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Supported RuO<sub>2</sub> for Long-Term Stable Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Ruo‐Yao Fan, Haijun Liu, Jing-Ke Ren, Yichuan Li, Jun Nan, Yulu Zhou, Chun‐Ying Liu, Yong‐Ming Chai, Bin Dong
Abstract
The proton exchange membrane (PEM) water hydrolyzer is crucial to promoting the sustainable development of hydrogen energy and facilitating large-scale energy transformation. However, achieving sustained and stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic solutions presents a significant challenge for noniridium based electrocatalysts. Herein, we develop a Co 3 O 4 -supported RuO 2 electrocatalyst with optimized catalyst–support interface interactions for breaking the activity–stability trade-off relationship in acidic OER. Through detailed electrochemical experiments and characterization analysis, we demonstrate that the crystal growth of Co 3 O 4 support can be precisely regulated by modifying the ligand layer-confined domain of cobalt-based metal–organic frameworks (Co-MOF) precursor, thereby optimizing the RuO 2 /Co 3 O 4 interface. Due to the weakened self-sacrifice effect of Co 3 O 4, active heterogeneous interface electron interaction and impeccable support crystal coating effect, the acidic OER stability of RuO 2 /Co 3 O 4 –B 3 DC is significantly improved compared with RuO 2 while preserving intrinsic activity. Theoretical modeling suggests that the formation of a RuO 2 /Co 3 O 4 catalyst–support interface optimizes the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates, promoting the oxygen evolution process. Additionally, the RuO 2 /Co 3 O 4 –B 3 DC anode demonstrates promising potential application in PEM electrolyzers and a variety of renewable energy-driven electrolytic cells.