Alternating Magnetic Field‐Enhanced Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution on Co‐Doped Mn 3 O 4
ABSTRACT As non‐precious metal catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the performance of transition metal oxides is limited by electronic‐state tuning from static doping strategies. This work proposes a novel strategy for dynamically regulating the electronic state of catalysts using an alternating magnetic field (AMF). We synthesized a series of Mn x Co 3‐x O 4 catalysts, where Co substitution enriches high‐spin Mn 2+ centers and introduces lattice flexibility. Under a low‐energy AMF, the magnetic moments of high‐spin Mn 2+ undergo forced precession. Through dynamic magneto‐structural coupling within the compliant lattice, this spin dynamics acts as a continuous structural perturbation that provides a pathway for dynamic orbital regulation, potentially driven by the lifting of d‐orbital degeneracy. This optimized orbital configuration enables a favorable binding energy with H* intermediates, accelerating the sluggish Volmer step and enhancing HER activity. Under the AMF, the Mn 2.5 Co 0.5 O 4 exhibits a low overpotential of 13 mV at 10 mA cm −2 , outperforming previously reported manganese‐based oxides. This work offers a strategy to dynamically lift d‐orbital degeneracy for efficient water electrolysis.
Authors
- Hongyao Xue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6354-5049)
- Lintao Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4544-4727)
- Ao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8913-0885)
- Shouhua Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1070-1148)
- Xiyue Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7434-8865)
- Lisong Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9358-5842)
- Rongrong Cui
- Yongzhe Li
- Mei Han
- Hanchi Feng
- Yaowen Zhang
- Yihao Li
Institutions
- Qingdao University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Jilin University (CN)
- RE Hydrogen (United Kingdom) (GB)
- East China Normal University (CN)
- Shandong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Published
- 2026-10-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.79032
- Primary Topic
- Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00