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

Institutions

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

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Atomic Ru‐Mediated Spontaneous Heterointerface Phase Transition Enables Ampere‐Level Catalytic Performance in Paired Electrolysis

Zhouhong Yu, Xiaonan Zheng, Changzheng Wu, Pengzuo Chen et al.
2 citations
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
19.58
article

Atomic Ru‐Mediated Spontaneous Heterointerface Phase Transition Enables Ampere‐Level Catalytic Performance in Paired Electrolysis

Zhouhong Yu, Xiaonan Zheng, Changzheng Wu, Pengzuo Chen, Kun Chen, Yun Xiang Tong, Han Cheng, Cong Lin
article en
2 citations

Abstract

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.

Angewandte Chemie International EditionVol. 65(8)
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)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
19.58
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.