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Orbital-Engineered Sn/RuO2 Nanocatalyst with Self-Regulating Electron Configuration for Durable Chlorine Evolution at
Jiangwen Xu1,2, Hongyi Li1,2, Jinxu Song1
1State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Tin-doped ruthenium oxide (Sn/RuO2) nanocatalysts significantly enhance stability for the chlorine evolution reaction (CER), lasting over 800 hours. This orbital engineering approach offers a durable solution for industrial electrochemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- The chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is vital for the chlor-alkali industry and water treatment.
- Conventional ruthenium (Ru)-based electrodes exhibit poor structural stability during CER, limiting their industrial application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable and active nanocatalyst for the chlorine evolution reaction.
- To investigate the effect of tin (Sn) doping on the electronic structure and stability of RuO2.
Main Methods:
- Orbital engineering strategy involving tin (Sn) doping of RuO2.
- Experimental characterization and theoretical analyses (e.g., DFT calculations).
- Electrochemical testing at industrial current densities (1 A cm-2).
Main Results:
- Sn/RuO2 nanocatalyst demonstrated exceptional stability (>800 h), outperforming pure RuO2 (~100 h).
- Maintained high activity and selectivity (97.9%) for CER.
- Orbital hybridization between Ru 4d and Sn 5s/5p states was confirmed, weakening Ru-O bonds and strengthening Sn-O bonds.
Conclusions:
- Orbital engineering via Sn doping provides a self-regulating strategy for stable CER catalysis.
- The Ru-O-Sn bridge facilitates electron feedback, suppressing Ru overoxidation and maintaining catalytic performance.
- This approach offers a practical route to design high-performance nanocatalysts with enhanced durability for demanding industrial conditions.
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