Non-Fermi Liquids as Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a key role in emerging energy conversion technologies such as rechargeable metal-air batteries, and direct solar water splitting. Herein, a remarkably low overpotential of ≈150 mV at 10 mA cm^-2_disk in alkaline solutions using one of the non-Fermi liquids, Hg₂Ru₂O₇, is reported. Hg₂Ru₂O₇ displays a rapid increase in current density and excellent durability as an OER catalyst. This outstanding catalytic performance is realized through the coexistence of localized d-bands with the metallic state that is unique to non-Fermi liquids. The findings indicate that non-Fermi liquids could greatly improve the design of highly active OER catalysts.