Anomalous pH‐Dependence of Ru for Hydrogen Electrochemistry

Y Yanyan Fang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China) C Cong Wei T Tianshu Liu (Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai) C Chongyang Tang Z Zhaohui Liu X Xuanwei Yin (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China) B Bo Liu Z Zhangyan Mu Z Zenan Bian (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China) J Junxin Xiao (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China) P Peng Chi (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China) M Mengning Ding (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) C Changzheng Wu (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science) G Gongming Wang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science)

Abstract

Abstract The essence of the classic pH‐dependent catalytic behavior of Pt toward hydrogen electrochemistry has been debated for decades. In stark contrast, Ru represents a unique exception by exhibiting intrinsically anomalous pH dependence among Pt‐group metals, significantly challenging the universal validity of the existing mechanistic system derived from classic pH effects. To decode the chemical essence beneath the unique anomalous pH dependence, refined multidimensional structural characterizations and electrical transport spectroscopic studies reveal that the electron delocalization on Ru surface enables strong oxophilicity and unique pH‐dependent coverage of OH*, essentially different from the H*‐dominated Pt surface. The enriched OH* breaks the classic pH‐dependent rule by forming hydrogen bond‐regulated interfacial water structures, thus creating a unique chemical environment for alkaline hydrogen catalysis. By clearly decoding the anomalous pH‐dependent behavior of Ru, our work provides new chances to improve the physicochemical model for re‐understanding hydrogen electrochemistry.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 31
Published July 28, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

Y

Yanyan Fang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China

C

Cong Wei

T

Tianshu Liu

Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai

C

Chongyang Tang

Z

Zhaohui Liu

X

Xuanwei Yin

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China

B

Bo Liu

Z

Zhangyan Mu

Z

Zenan Bian

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China

J

Junxin Xiao

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China

P

Peng Chi

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 P.R. China

M

Mengning Ding

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

C

Changzheng Wu

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science

G

Gongming Wang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science