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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
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Self-Coordinating Electronic Metal-Support Interaction Stabilizes Ultralow-Loading Ir Single Atoms for Durable Acidic
Yilin Gao1, Hongqiang Jin1, Ruihan Gong2
1Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a dynamic electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). This approach enhances iridium catalyst stability and activity, minimizing precious metal use in acidic oxygen evolution reactions (OER).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Engineering electronic metal-support interactions (EMSI) is crucial for scalable proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) using low iridium (Ir) loadings.
- A persistent challenge is reconciling high-valent Ir's association with optimal intermediate adsorption and low-valent Ir's link to corrosion resistance, indicating limitations of static EMSI models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dynamic charge-compensation mechanism to overcome the activity-stability trade-off in acidic oxygen evolution reactions (OER).
- To engineer an atomically dispersed Ir-O-Co interface for enhanced PEMWE anode performance.
Main Methods:
- Anchoring isolated Iridium (Ir) single atoms onto spinel Cobalt Oxide (Co3O4) to create an atomically dispersed Ir-O-Co interface.
- Investigating a dynamic charge-compensation mechanism involving Ir oxidation at low bias and Co3O4 charge back-compensation at high bias.
Main Results:
- The engineered interface exhibits a self-coordinating EMSI, breaking the conventional activity-stability trade-off in acidic OER.
- An integrated PEM water electrolyzer with an Ir single-atom catalyst demonstrated stable operation for over 1500 hours at 1.0 A cm⁻².
- Achieved ultralow Ir loading of 0.1 mg cm⁻².
Conclusions:
- Dynamic, self-coordinating EMSI is vital for durable and efficient PEMWE anodes.
- This approach enables significant reduction in precious metal usage for water electrolysis.
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