Efficient Oxygen Evolution via Co/Mn-Doped RuO2 Nanoparticles under the Influence of a Magnetic Field

Abstract

Developing efficient electrocatalysts is crucial for enhancing green energy conversion. In recent years, magnetic field-assisted electrocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach for significantly enhancing catalytic performance. This paper investigates the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) behavior of Co/Mn-RuO₂, Co-RuO₂, and Mn-RuO₂ nano catalysts affected by a magnetic field. The findings suggest that spin polarization kinetics play a key role in improving OER efficiency. Exchange interactions in magnetic catalysts establish spin-selective channels, which contribute to the generation of triplet O₂. Co/Mn-RuO₂ exhibits an ultrahigh current density and ultralow overpotential (370 mV at 200 mA cm^–2, an 80 mV reduction compared to OER overpotential without a magnetic field) under a magnetic field, and demonstrates 100 h of stability. Theoretical calculations indicate that spin alignment exhibits a lower energy difference in the rate-determining step compared to the deficiency of a magnetic field. These findings highlight the potential of magnetic field-induced spin polarization in optimizing OER performance and provide important attributions for the systematic design of spin-related catalysts.