Mn-doped RuO2 as superior pH-universal electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

In the field of research on renewable energy conversion and storage methods, the development of catalysts with excellent properties and outstanding stability for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) acting at various pH values has become a much-anticipated research focus. RuO2 as a benchmark OER catalyst, its wide application has always been limited by slow reaction kinetics and limited persistence. In this paper, Mn-doped RuO2 material was developed and the optimum doping ratio was identified for using as an OER electrocatalyst under general purpose pH media. Mn0.1Ru0.9O2 exhibited a lower overpotential value of 224 mV in acidic environment with a Tafel slope value of 51.62 mV dec- 1. Moreover, in alkaline and neutral environments, overpotentials of 231 mV and 376 mV were required to obtain a current density of 10 mA cm-2, respectively. In addition, through continuous stability testing over 24 h in alkaline, acidic and neutral solutions, it has been further demonstrated that the Mn-doped RuO2 material exhibits extremely high stability. The advancements in this research offer crucial insight into the rational development of efficient and durable RuO2-based catalysts.