Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Xia Wang - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Qun Yang - , Weizmann Institute of Science, University of California at Los Angeles (Author)
  • Sukriti Singh - , Vienna University of Technology (Author)
  • Horst Borrmann - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Vicky Hasse - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Changjiang Yi - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Yongkang Li - , Weizmann Institute of Science (Author)
  • Marcus Schmidt - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Xiaodong Li - , Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (cfaed) (Author)
  • Gerhard H. Fecher - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Dong Zhou - , Tsinghua University (Author)
  • Binghai Yan - , Weizmann Institute of Science (Author)
  • Claudia Felser - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)

Abstract

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising approach for clean hydrogen production, but the process is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the spin-dependent electron transfer process. Efforts to control spin through chirality and magnetization have shown potential in enhancing OER performance. Here we harnessed the potential of topological chiral semimetals (RhSi, RhSn and RhBiS) and their spin-polarized Fermi surfaces to promote the spin-dependent electron transfer in the OER, addressing the traditional volcano-plot limitations. We show that OER activities follow the trend RhSi < RhSn < RhBiS, corresponding to the increasing extent of spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The chiral single crystals outperform achiral counterparts (RhTe2, RhTe and RuO2) in alkaline electrolyte, with RhBiS exhibiting a specific activity two orders of magnitude higher than RuO2. Our work reveals the pivotal roles of chirality and SOC in spin-dependent catalysis, facilitating the design of ultra-efficient chiral catalysts.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaad4998
Pages (from-to)101-109
Number of pages9
JournalNature energy
Volume10
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025
Peer-reviewedYes