Issue 26, 2024

Optimizing the active interface structure of MnO2 to achieve sustainable water oxidation in an acidic medium

Abstract

Developing cost-effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis is crucial to achieving large-scale hydrogen production through water electrolysis. Here, we propose the utilization of a compound Er2O3 to enhance the catalytic performance of MnO2 in acidic OER. In situ Raman and DFT calculations reveal that Er2O3 not only suppresses the phase transition of MnO2 but also undergoes dissolution at the interface, thereby optimizing the structure of the active catalytic layer. The optimization of the Mn active site through the incorporation of robust Mn–O bonds in the catalytic interface layer, along with the accumulation of active Mn[double bond, length as m-dash]O species during OER, are both pivotal factors for enhancing catalytic performance. Due to these inherent advantages, the MnO2@Er2O3 heterostructure catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 342 ± 5 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The long-term stability test at a high current density of 50 mA cm−2 for 20 h exhibited no significant performance degradation. This study develops a cost-effective electrocatalyst for acidic OER and provides a new avenue for developing low-cost electrocatalysts for OER under acidic conditions in water electrolysis.

Graphical abstract: Optimizing the active interface structure of MnO2 to achieve sustainable water oxidation in an acidic medium

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
03 Apr 2024
Accepted
24 May 2024
First published
28 May 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 15705-15715

Optimizing the active interface structure of MnO2 to achieve sustainable water oxidation in an acidic medium

S. Pan, S. Wang, Y. Wang, H. Li, D. Zhao, Y. Fu, H. Liu, J. Kou, N. Li and D. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 15705 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA02256D

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