Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a promising technology for green hydrogen production, but its efficiency is limited by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). RuO2-based electrocatalysts exhibit superior intrinsic OER activity compared to IrO2, yet their practical applic...

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Main Authors: Qian Sun, Jiaxin Zhang, Wei Kong Pang, Bernt Johannessen, Peng Li, Guoqiang Zhao, Huaming Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Materials Today Catalysis
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949754X25000237
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author Qian Sun
Jiaxin Zhang
Wei Kong Pang
Bernt Johannessen
Peng Li
Guoqiang Zhao
Huaming Yang
author_facet Qian Sun
Jiaxin Zhang
Wei Kong Pang
Bernt Johannessen
Peng Li
Guoqiang Zhao
Huaming Yang
author_sort Qian Sun
collection DOAJ
description Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a promising technology for green hydrogen production, but its efficiency is limited by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). RuO2-based electrocatalysts exhibit superior intrinsic OER activity compared to IrO2, yet their practical application is hindered by poor stability due to lattice oxygen overoxidation and Ru overoxidation. Recent advances highlight that modulating the local coordination environment of RuO2 through doping, strain engineering, and defect control can not only optimize the OER pathways but also regulate the intrinsic activity of active sites, thereby achieving more balanced OER activity and stability. Meanwhile, computational investigations have also revealed deep insights into the catalytic performance of RuO2 from the perspective of local coordination structures. Therefore, in this review, we start by discussing the OER mechanisms and common structural descriptors of the activity and stability of RuO2. Then, we explore the relationship between structural regulation strategies and the OER performance of RuO2 and analyze how coordination engineering influences catalytic behavior, establishing a designing framework for high-performance catalysts. Finally, we outline key challenges and future directions for RuO2-based OER electrocatalysts in PEMWE applications.
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issn 2949-754X
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publishDate 2025-09-01
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series Materials Today Catalysis
spelling doaj-art-b36f745fb00e4875846f6c9db4034c0e2025-08-20T03:50:21ZengElsevierMaterials Today Catalysis2949-754X2025-09-011010011010.1016/j.mtcata.2025.100110Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structuresQian Sun0Jiaxin Zhang1Wei Kong Pang2Bernt Johannessen3Peng Li4Guoqiang Zhao5Huaming Yang6Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaInstitute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, AustraliaInstitute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia; Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, VIC 3168, AustraliaCentre for Atomaterials and Nanomanufacturing (CAN), School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Corresponding author.Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Corresponding author at: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Advanced Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Mineral Materials and Application, School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaProton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a promising technology for green hydrogen production, but its efficiency is limited by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). RuO2-based electrocatalysts exhibit superior intrinsic OER activity compared to IrO2, yet their practical application is hindered by poor stability due to lattice oxygen overoxidation and Ru overoxidation. Recent advances highlight that modulating the local coordination environment of RuO2 through doping, strain engineering, and defect control can not only optimize the OER pathways but also regulate the intrinsic activity of active sites, thereby achieving more balanced OER activity and stability. Meanwhile, computational investigations have also revealed deep insights into the catalytic performance of RuO2 from the perspective of local coordination structures. Therefore, in this review, we start by discussing the OER mechanisms and common structural descriptors of the activity and stability of RuO2. Then, we explore the relationship between structural regulation strategies and the OER performance of RuO2 and analyze how coordination engineering influences catalytic behavior, establishing a designing framework for high-performance catalysts. Finally, we outline key challenges and future directions for RuO2-based OER electrocatalysts in PEMWE applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949754X25000237Ruthenium dioxideOxygen evolution reactionStabilityStructure modulationCoordination
spellingShingle Qian Sun
Jiaxin Zhang
Wei Kong Pang
Bernt Johannessen
Peng Li
Guoqiang Zhao
Huaming Yang
Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
Materials Today Catalysis
Ruthenium dioxide
Oxygen evolution reaction
Stability
Structure modulation
Coordination
title Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
title_full Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
title_fullStr Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
title_full_unstemmed Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
title_short Advanced RuO2-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction: A perspective from coordination structures
title_sort advanced ruo2 based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction a perspective from coordination structures
topic Ruthenium dioxide
Oxygen evolution reaction
Stability
Structure modulation
Coordination
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949754X25000237
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AT weikongpang advancedruo2basedelectrocatalystsforoxygenevolutionreactionaperspectivefromcoordinationstructures
AT berntjohannessen advancedruo2basedelectrocatalystsforoxygenevolutionreactionaperspectivefromcoordinationstructures
AT pengli advancedruo2basedelectrocatalystsforoxygenevolutionreactionaperspectivefromcoordinationstructures
AT guoqiangzhao advancedruo2basedelectrocatalystsforoxygenevolutionreactionaperspectivefromcoordinationstructures
AT huamingyang advancedruo2basedelectrocatalystsforoxygenevolutionreactionaperspectivefromcoordinationstructures