Dual-Modified C-Ce-Mn₂O₃ Heterostructured Anode Catalytic Layer with Ultrastable OER Performance in Concentrated...

Mn₂O₃ emerges as a viable anode catalytic layer candidate for nonferrous metal electrodeposition, yet its industrial adoption is hindered by acid-triggered structural collapse and Mn³⁺ overoxidation. Here, we demonstrate a heterointerfacial engineering strategy that integrates carbon scaffolding with Ce-doped Mn₂O₃ (C-Ce-Mn₂O₃), achieving high stability in concentrated sulfuric acid (160 g·L^-1) under aggressive polarization. The C-Ce-Mn₂O₃ anode sustained operation for 104.3 h at a current density of 1 A·cm^-2 before reaching the operational failure threshold, whereas pristine Mn₂O₃ failed within 53.0 h under identical conditions, demonstrating 100.7% longer operational durability, corresponding to the 1095-day theoretical lifetime 2.07-fold over pristine Mn₂O₃. Density functional theory reveals that the injection of electrons from the Ce 4f orbital into toward Mn(III) optimizes the spin-down electronic state of Mn 3d and serves as an electron-sacrificing buffer zone for Mn(III), avoiding the overoxidation of Mn(III). The test results of Proto-LXRD indicate that carbon fiber can effectively reduce the internal stress of Mn₂O₃, increase the coating strength, and suppress the cracking and shell formation of the catalytic layer during electrochemical corrosion.