Embedded Ir─Ru Single‐Atom Alloy with Self‐Limiting Motifs for Sustainable Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

S Shaoxiong Li (College of Materials Science and Technology) L Liming Deng (College of Materials Science and Technology) S Sung‐Fu Hung (Department of Applied Chemistry National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu Taiwan) S Sheng Zhao (College of Materials Science and Technology) L Luqi Wang (Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center) Y Yixin Hao Y Yongde Long (State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Chaoyang District Beijing 100124 China) B Boyuan Li (Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Academy of Advanced Inter Disciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry) Y Yung‐Hsi Hsu (Department of Applied Chemistry and Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300 Taiwan) Y Yi‐Yu Chen (Department of Applied Chemistry National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300 Taiwan) Y Ying Zhang T Tsung‐Yi Chen F Feng Hu (Department of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education)) L Linlin Li (College of Materials Science and Technology) Y Yuxiang Hu Y Yuping Wu (Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center) S Shengjie Peng (Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center)

Abstract

Abstract Designing acid‐stable anodic electrocatalysts with low noble‐metal loading is essential for the industrial‐scale application of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). However, existing catalyst systems struggle to fully utilize the intrinsic properties of active sites. Here, a precisely engineered nanocatalyst is unveiled through a hierarchical atomic assembly strategy for synthesis, featuring an ultralow‐content Ir─Ru single‐atom alloy integrated into robust titanium dioxide nanowires (Ir 1 Ru/TiO 2 ). This lattice‐embedded structure induces the support to reduce the dissolution and excessive oxidation of Ru/Ir sites through strong interfacial coupling, significantly enhancing the corrosion resistance of catalysts. Moreover, atomically dispersed Ir induces the formation of uniquely shortened Ru─O ligand bonds, serving as stable self‐limiting motifs, in contrast to the conventional formation of amorphous oxide layers. The Ir 1 Ru/TiO 2 catalyst showcases an initial mass activity of 1971.5 A , enabling stable operation at 10 mA cm −2 for over 3200 h and at the rated current density of 2 A cm −2 for 2000 h in PEMWE.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 3
Published January 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (17)

S

Shaoxiong Li

College of Materials Science and Technology

L

Liming Deng

College of Materials Science and Technology

S

Sung‐Fu Hung

Department of Applied Chemistry National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu Taiwan

S

Sheng Zhao

College of Materials Science and Technology

L

Luqi Wang

Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center

Y

Yixin Hao

Y

Yongde Long

State Key Laboratory of Materials Low‐Carbon Recycling College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Technology Chaoyang District Beijing 100124 China

B

Boyuan Li

Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Academy of Advanced Inter Disciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry

Y

Yung‐Hsi Hsu

Department of Applied Chemistry and Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300 Taiwan

Y

Yi‐Yu Chen

Department of Applied Chemistry National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hsinchu 300 Taiwan

Y

Ying Zhang

T

Tsung‐Yi Chen

F

Feng Hu

Department of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education)

L

Linlin Li

College of Materials Science and Technology

Y

Yuxiang Hu

Y

Yuping Wu

Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center

S

Shengjie Peng

Confucius Energy Storage Lab, School of Energy and Environment & Z Energy Storage Center