Strain-dependent oxygen electrocatalysis in transition metal oxides

Strain-dependent electrocatalysis has not been achieved in transition metal oxides (TMOs). In the current issue of Matter, Qin and co-workers precisely regulated the lattice strain in TMOs via a nanoscale Kirkendall oxidation process (ranging from 0% to 2.2%) and charted the strain-dependent oxygen electrocatalysis in TMOs. After optimization, the 1.8%-strained Co3O4 hollow nanoparticles exhibited the outstanding bifunctional activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Strain-dependent electrocatalysis has not been achieved in transition metal oxides (TMOs). In the current issue of Matter, Qin and co-workers precisely regulated the lattice strain in TMOs via a nanoscale Kirkendall oxidation process (ranging from 0% to 2.2%) and charted the strain-dependent oxygen electrocatalysis in TMOs. After optimization, the 1.8%-strained Co3O4 hollow nanoparticles exhibited the outstanding bifunctional activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Kirkendall oxidation tailors lattice strain in transition metal oxides for efficient oxygen electrocatalysisLi et al.MatterFebruary 5, 2024In BriefThe lattice tensile strain of transition metal oxides is precisely regulated through a nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion process, leading to remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic performances. It facilitates the electron exchange from Co-3d to O-2p, promoting the adsorption of ∗OOH and the desorption of ∗OH, accordingly realizing enhanced oxygen catalytic activity. Full-Text PDF