Electric-field-assisted proton coupling enhanced oxygen evolution reaction

Xuelei Pan, Mengyu Yan (), Qian Liu, Xunbiao Zhou, Xiaobin Liao, Congli Sun, Jiexin Zhu, Callum McAleese, Pierre Couture, Matthew K. Sharpe, Richard Smith, Nianhua Peng, Jonathan England, Shik Chi Edman Tsang (), Yunlong Zhao () and Liqiang Mai ()
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Xuelei Pan: Wuhan University of Technology
Mengyu Yan: Wuhan University of Technology
Qian Liu: Zhejiang University
Xunbiao Zhou: Wuhan University of Technology
Xiaobin Liao: Wuhan University of Technology
Congli Sun: Wuhan University of Technology
Jiexin Zhu: Wuhan University of Technology
Callum McAleese: University of Surrey
Pierre Couture: University of Surrey
Matthew K. Sharpe: University of Surrey
Richard Smith: University of Surrey
Nianhua Peng: University of Surrey
Jonathan England: University of Surrey
Shik Chi Edman Tsang: University of Oxford
Yunlong Zhao: Imperial College London
Liqiang Mai: Wuhan University of Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The discovery of Mn-Ca complex in photosystem II stimulates research of manganese-based catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, conventional chemical strategies face challenges in regulating the four electron-proton processes of OER. Herein, we investigate alpha-manganese dioxide (α-MnO2) with typical MnIV-O-MnIII-HxO motifs as a model for adjusting proton coupling. We reveal that pre-equilibrium proton-coupled redox transition provides an adjustable energy profile for OER, paving the way for in-situ enhancing proton coupling through a new “reagent”— external electric field. Based on the α-MnO2 single-nanowire device, gate voltage induces a 4-fold increase in OER current density at 1.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Moreover, the proof-of-principle external electric field-assisted flow cell for water splitting demonstrates a 34% increase in current density and a 44.7 mW/cm² increase in net output power. These findings indicate an in-depth understanding of the role of proton-incorporated redox transition and develop practical approach for high-efficiency electrocatalysis.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47568-y

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