An effective route to enhance Ru-based acidic water oxidation electrocatalyst

Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts hold great promise to replace iridium (Ir)-based catalysts for practical proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers. However, their overall performance cannot meet the practical requirements. This preview highlights a metal-organic framework anchored strategy for isolated Ru oxide that can prompt the lattice oxygen oxidation process and stabilize soluble intermediate, thus achieving enhanced catalytic activity and long-term stability. Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts hold great promise to replace iridium (Ir)-based catalysts for practical proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers. However, their overall performance cannot meet the practical requirements. This preview highlights a metal-organic framework anchored strategy for isolated Ru oxide that can prompt the lattice oxygen oxidation process and stabilize soluble intermediate, thus achieving enhanced catalytic activity and long-term stability.