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Subnanoscale IrW oxide anodes: breaking immiscibility for high activity and durability in water electrolysis
Chi Li1, Renjie Ding1, Guanjian Chang1
1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. bingwang@nju.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel catalyst by trapping iridium (Ir) in tungsten oxide (WO3) using pulsed-laser synthesis. This breakthrough enhances the efficiency and durability of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production.
- Iridium-based catalysts are highly active for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but are expensive and scarce.
- Developing efficient and durable alternatives to pure iridium catalysts is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel sub-nanometric iridium-tungsten oxide (IrWOx) solid solutions.
- To investigate the catalytic activity and durability of IrWOx for PEM water electrolysis.
- To understand the structure-activity relationship and the role of Ir-W coupling.
Main Methods:
- Pulsed-laser synthesis to create IrWOx solid solutions.
- Characterization of the catalyst's structure and composition.
- Electrochemical testing for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and durability in PEM water electrolysis.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized sub-nanometric IrWOx solid solutions with efficient iridium utilization (42% in IrO2).
- Achieved a high mass activity of 270 A gIr−1 at 1.55 V for the catalyst.
- Demonstrated durable performance in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis.
Conclusions:
- Strong iridium-tungsten coupling in IrWOx optimizes the iridium oxidation state.
- This optimization significantly boosts the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity.
- The developed IrWOx catalyst offers a promising pathway for efficient and durable PEM water electrolysis.
