Integrated Multiscale Nanoarrays With MnO2-Mediated Ru─O Clusters for Stable Acidic Chlorine Evolution
Chaoyang Sun1, Linjie Zhao1, Hao Wang2
1State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Design and Manufacturing for Hydrogen Energy Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Engineered electrodes with a MnO2 interlayer stabilize atomic Ru-O clusters for the chlorine evolution reaction (CER), enhancing catalyst durability and performance in chlor-alkali processes.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- The electrochemical chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is vital for the chlor-alkali industry.
- Atomic Ru-O active sites show promise for CER but suffer from instability and OH* poisoning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable and efficient electrocatalyst for the CER.
- To address the limitations of atomic Ru-O active sites.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an interlayer-engineered electrode with a MnO2 nano-interlayer wrapping a nanocone array.
- Utilizing Ru-O clusters confined and modulated by the MnO2 interlayer.
- Investigating electronic coupling via Ru‒O‒Mn‒O‒Ti linkages.
Main Results:
- The MnO2 interlayer confined Ru-O clusters, suppressing dissolution and enhancing stability (>1200 h).
- Strong electronic coupling and interfacial electron redistribution optimized Cl adsorption, improving CER selectivity and kinetics.
- The hierarchical architecture facilitated bubble release and mass transport in a proton-exchange-membrane electrolyzer.
Conclusions:
- The engineered electrode provides a generalizable strategy for designing durable CER electrocatalysts.
- Unifying atomic confinement, electronic modulation, and transport engineering enhances catalyst performance.
- This approach offers a pathway to overcome key challenges in electrocatalytic chlorine production.
