Atomic Ru‐Mediated Spontaneous Heterointerface Phase Transition Enables Ampere‐Level Catalytic Performance in Paired Electrolysis
Phase transition regulation is a promising strategy to optimize the catalytic properties of catalysts, playing a crucial role in enhancing electrocatalytic efficiency. However, the intrinsic relationship between atomic-scale interface phase transitions and catalytic performance remains unclear. Herein, we report a heteroatomic interfacial phase transition of Co<sub>3</sub>S<sub>4</sub>/Co heterostructured nanosheets to Co<sub>9</sub>S<sub>8</sub>/Co by anchoring single-atom Ru under thermal treatment (Ru<sub>SA</sub>-Co<sub>9</sub>S<sub>8</sub>/Co-T), resulting in ampere-level catalytic performance for the sustained paired electrosynthesis. Theoretical calculations and in situ spectroscopy confirm the spontaneous transition to a more stable structure triggered by atomic Ru, which synergistically optimizes the formation kinetics of key intermediates and reduces the energy barrier of the rate-determining steps on Ru<sub>SA</sub>-Co<sub>9</sub>S<sub>8</sub>/Co-T. Impressively, this catalyst can be directly applied in membrane electrode assembly electrolyzers for nitrite-glycerol co-electrolysis. Within a wide potential window of 1.2-2.0 V, the average Faradaic efficiencies of NH<sub>3</sub> and formate exceed 90%, with the highest yields reaching 95.83 mg h<sup>-1</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> and 567.38 mg h<sup>-1</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> at 2.0 V, respectively, alongside stable operation for 100 h at an industrial current density of 500 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>. Our work provides new insights into the development of high-performance catalysts.
Authors
- Zhouhong Yu
- Xiaonan Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0141-8612)
- Changzheng Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4416-6358)
- Pengzuo Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9227-6156)
- Kun Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8556-8900)
- Yun Xiang Tong
- Han Cheng
- Cong Lin
Institutions
- Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (CN)
- Henan Institute of Technology (CN)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (CN)
- Henan Institute of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2026-01-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202520214
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 19.58
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China