Boosting oxygen evolution of single-atomic ruthenium through electronic coupling with cobalt-iron layered double hydroxides.

ABSTRACT: Single atom catalyst, which contains isolated metal atoms singly dispersed on supports, has great potential for achieving high activity and selectivity in hetero-catalysis and electrocatalysis. However, the activity and stability of single atoms and their interaction with support still remains a mystery. Here we show a stable single atomic ruthenium catalyst anchoring on the surface of cobalt iron layered double hydroxides, which possesses a strong electronic coupling between ruthenium and layered double hydroxides. With 0.45 wt.% ruthenium loading, the catalyst exhibits outstanding activity with overpotential 198?mV at the current density of 10?mA?cm^-2 and a small Tafel slope of 39?mV?dec^-1 for oxygen evolution reaction. By using operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it is disclosed that the isolated single atom ruthenium was kept under the oxidation states of 4+ even at high overpotential due to synergetic electron coupling, which endow exceptional electrocatalytic activity and stability simultaneously.

SUBMITTER: Li P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6461613 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature