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Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Author

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  • Xia Wang

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Qun Yang

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    College of Letters and Sciences, University of California Los Angeles)

  • Sukriti Singh

    (Vienna University of Technology)

  • Horst Borrmann

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Vicky Hasse

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Changjiang Yi

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Yongkang Li

    (Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Marcus Schmidt

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Xiaodong Li

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Gerhard H. Fecher

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Dong Zhou

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Binghai Yan

    (Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Claudia Felser

    (Topological Quantum Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

Abstract

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising approach for clean hydrogen production, but the process is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the spin-dependent electron transfer process. Efforts to control spin through chirality and magnetization have shown potential in enhancing OER performance. Here we harnessed the potential of topological chiral semimetals (RhSi, RhSn and RhBiS) and their spin-polarized Fermi surfaces to promote the spin-dependent electron transfer in the OER, addressing the traditional volcano-plot limitations. We show that OER activities follow the trend RhSi

Suggested Citation

  • Xia Wang & Qun Yang & Sukriti Singh & Horst Borrmann & Vicky Hasse & Changjiang Yi & Yongkang Li & Marcus Schmidt & Xiaodong Li & Gerhard H. Fecher & Dong Zhou & Binghai Yan & Claudia Felser, 2025. "Topological semimetals with intrinsic chirality as spin-controlling electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 101-109, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01674-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01674-9
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