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Low-Valent RuIr Oxide With Reversible Valence Dynamics and Robust Framework for Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis
Yucheng Shen1, Yuchang Hou1, Kun Qi2
1State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
New low-valent ruthenium-iridium (RuIr) oxide nanocatalysts boost hydrogen production by enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolyzers, offering superior activity and durability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are crucial for hydrogen production.
- Durable and active anode electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are needed to improve PEMWE deployment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel low-valent RuIr oxide nanocatalysts with enhanced OER activity and durability.
- To investigate the structural and dynamic properties of these catalysts during OER.
Main Methods:
- Ethylene glycol-mediated reduction of conventional RuIr oxide.
- In situ spectroscopies and isotope-tracing mass spectrometry.
- Performance evaluation in a PEMWE cell.
Main Results:
- Low-valent RuIr oxide nanocatalysts exhibit a distorted monoclinic structure with reduced Ru and Ir valence states.
- The catalyst demonstrates dynamic yet structurally robust behavior during OER, with reversible valence changes.
- The optimal catalyst achieved high current densities (1.0 A cm⁻² at 1.61 V, 2.0 A cm⁻² at 1.74 V) and excellent durability over 2000 hours and 40,000 voltage cycles.
Conclusions:
- Low-valent RuIr oxide nanocatalysts offer a promising strategy for high-performance OER catalysis.
- The dynamic adaptability and structural robustness of these catalysts are key to their enhanced performance.
- This approach provides an efficient design principle for advanced electrocatalysts in water electrolysis.
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