KIr4O8 Nanowires with Rich Hydroxyl Promote Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer.

Abstract

The sluggish kinetics for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and insufficient catalytic performance over the corresponding Ir-based catalysts are still enormous challenges in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). Herein, we report that KIr4O8 nanowires anode catalyst with more exposed active sites and rich hydroxyl achieves a current density of 1.0 A/cm2 at 1.68V and possesses excellent catalytic stability with 1230h in PEMWE. Combining in situ Raman spectroscopy and differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy results, we propose the modified adsorbate evolution mechanism that rich hydroxyl in the inherent structure of KIr4O8 nanowires directly participates in the catalytic process for favoring the OER. Density functional theory calculation results further suggest that the enhanced proximity between Ir (d) and O (p) band center in KIr4O8 can strengthen the covalence of Ir-O, facilitate the electron transfer between adsorbents and active sites, and decrease the energy barrier of rate-determining step from OH* to O* during the OER. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.