Interfacial Trapping of Reactive Water and Concurrent Stabilization of Lattice Oxygen for Efficient Acidic Oxygen Evolution

RuO 2 surpasses IrO 2 in both activity and cost efficiency for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), yet its rapid degradation in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) under industrial current densities severely limits practical application. To resolve this activity–stability dilemma, we designed a dual-functional Al-RuO 2 catalyst that simultaneously suppresses lattice oxygen oxidation and traps interfacial reactive water. Through strong Al–O bonding, Al dopants lock lattice oxygen and shift the OER pathway from the mixed adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) on RuO 2 to an exclusive AEM on Al-RuO 2 . This mechanistic transition inhibits Ru dissolution and preserves the structural integrity. Surface −OH and/or Lewis acidic Al sites dynamically trap free water via H-bonding and/or Lewis acid–base interactions to enhance the OER activity without sacrificing stability. Consequently, this Al-RuO 2 achieves a 10-fold higher turnover frequency than RuO 2 and high MEA performance (1.528 [email protected] A cm –2, operation >600 [email protected] A cm –2 ).