Enrooted-Type Metal-Support Interaction Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Supported metal catalysts are crucial for heterogeneous catalysis.
• Optimizing metal-support interactions (MSIs) is key for catalyst efficiency.
• Challenges exist in immobilizing metal nanoparticles while maximizing active sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel supported metal catalyst with enhanced metal-support interactions.
• To investigate an unprecedented "enrooted-type" metal-support interaction.
• To improve activity and stability for oxygen evolution reactions in acidic media.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of an iridium/tungsten oxide (Ir/WO3) catalyst.
• Characterization of the catalyst's unique "enrooted-type" MSI.
• Evaluation of catalytic performance for oxygen evolution reactions.

Main Results:

• The Ir/WO3 catalyst exhibits an "enrooted-type" MSI, with Ir clusters integrated into the WO3 lattice.
• This enrooting modifies interfacial electron density, optimizing adsorption of oxygen intermediates.
• The catalyst demonstrates high activity and stability for oxygen evolution in acidic media.

Conclusions:

• The "enrooted-type" MSI offers a new strategy for designing supported metal catalysts.
• This approach effectively balances metal immobilization and active site exposure.
• The Ir/WO3 catalyst represents a significant advancement in heterogeneous catalysis for oxygen evolution.