Ferromagnetic ordering correlated strong metal-oxygen hybridization for superior oxygen reduction reaction activity

The efficiency of transition-metal oxide materials toward oxygen-related electrochemical reactions is classically controlled by metal-oxygen hybridization. Recently, the unique magnetic exchange interactions in transition-metal oxides are proposed to facilitate charge transfer and reduce activation barrier in electrochemical reactions. Such spin/magnetism-related effects offer a new and rich playground to engineer oxide electrocatalysts, but their connection with the classical metal-oxygen hybridization theory remains an open question. Here, using the Mn_xV_yO_z family as a platform, we show that ferromagnetic (FM) ordering is intrinsically correlated with the strong manganese (Mn)-oxygen (O) hybridization of Mn oxides, thus significantly increasing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. We demonstrate that this enhanced Mn-O hybridization in FM Mn oxides is closely associated with the generation of active Mn sites on the oxide surface and obtaining favorable reaction thermodynamics under operating conditions. As a result, FM-Mn₂V₂O₇ with a high degree of Mn-O hybridization achieves a record high ORR activity. Our work highlights the potential applications of magnetic oxide materials with strong metal-oxygen hybridization in energy devices.