Multi‐Step Screening‐Guided Core‐Shell RuO₂@TaO_x Nanorods Electrocatalyst for Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

AbstractIn the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the exploration of highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts is essential for the environmentally friendly production of hydrogen. Although RuO2 exhibits high catalytic activity, its solubility and corrosion in acidic environments are of concern. In this study, high‐melting‐point metal oxides were multi‐step rationally screened as protective layers for RuO2 to identify their roles in the acidic OER process. Among them, Ta‐related oxide was selected as the best candidate. To demonstrate the theoretical predictions, RuO2@TaOx with a core‐shell structure was deployed, which exhibited low overpotentials of 163 and 232 mV at 10  and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. In fact, the dense amorphous TaOx layer effectively prevented the dissolution of RuO2 and optimized the charge transfer through interfacial synergy, significantly improving both the activity and durability of OER. Meanwhile, the operando quick X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (Quick‐XAS) confirmed that Ru served as the active site during OER, while Ta inhibited the over‐oxidation of Ru, correlating with theoretical considerations. This study provides a new paradigm using targeted computational screening to guide the design of advanced catalysts, and serves as a proof‐of‐concept for the deployment of high‐melting‐point metal oxides as a protective layer for RuO2 in the acidic OER.