Decoupling fast hydrogen oxidation reaction on a tandem electrocatalyst

Wei Guo, Guoqiang Zhao, Ziang Sun, Bingxing Zhang, Dongyue Xin, Mingxia Gao, Yongfeng Liu, Zhongbin Zhuang, Hai-Wei Liang, Hongge Pan and Wenping Sun ()
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Wei Guo: Zhejiang University
Guoqiang Zhao: China University of Geosciences
Ziang Sun: University of Science and Technology of China
Bingxing Zhang: Zhejiang University
Dongyue Xin: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Mingxia Gao: Zhejiang University
Yongfeng Liu: Zhejiang University
Zhongbin Zhuang: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Hai-Wei Liang: University of Science and Technology of China
Hongge Pan: Zhejiang University
Wenping Sun: Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) shows fast kinetics in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and has not drawn intense attention. Here, we propose a tandem electrocatalysis concept, decoupling HOR on two independent active sites for accelerated kinetics. As a proof-of-concept application, a Ru-based tandem HOR catalyst is designed, with Ru nanoclusters decorated with Pt single atoms. Experimental and theoretical studies suggest that H2 dissociation occurs at Ru sites, and then the produced H species migrate to Pt sites followed by the desorption of H+. The strong Ru-H interaction promotes the H2 dissociation step, while the optimum Pt-H interaction ensures the fast desorption, thereby substantially enhancing the HOR kinetics. In H2–O2 fuel cells, this catalyst enables a peak power density of 1.91 W cm−2 and a high anodic mass activity of 23.12 A mg−1 at 0.9 ViR-free with an ultralow noble metal loading of 5 μg cm−2. This work advances the development of low-cost anode catalysts for fuel cells and provides more insight into understanding hydrogen electrocatalysis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62160-8

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