Multimetal Doping and Heterostructure Engineering of RuO 2 for Durable and Efficient Oxygen Evolution
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the primary kinetic bottleneck in water electrolysis, requiring catalysts that are both efficient and durable. Here, a MnCoNi–RuO 2 (MCN–RuO 2 ) heterostructured catalyst synthesized via a controlled impregnation–annealing–etching process that integrates multimetal doping with mixed‐phase oxide formation is reported. Structural analyses reveal a RuO 2 host lattice interfaced with MnO and spinel‐type CoNiO x domains, generating lattice distortion, oxygen vacancies, and defect‐rich interfaces that tune the electronic structure and enrich active sites. Electrochemical tests demonstrate overpotentials as low as 200 mV at 10 mA cm −2 , a low Tafel slope, and markedly improved stability relative to commercial RuO 2 and IrO 2 . The catalyst also retains high activity under acidic conditions and, when implemented in an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer, sustains industrially relevant operation for 100 h with minimal degradation. Density functional theory calculations reveal that multimetal incorporation drives charge redistribution, lowers the work function, and shifts Ru‐4d states, reducing the barrier for the rate‐determining *O → *OOH step while enhancing stability against Ru dissolution. These findings establish MCN–RuO 2 as a versatile, Ir‐free platform and demonstrate multimetal doping with heterointerface engineering as a powerful strategy for designing next‐generation OER catalysts.
Source: Small Science
Institution: University of Helsinki
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,350
OpenAlex ID: W7117104062