Asymmetric dual-electron bridge via gradient orbital coupling for robust alkaline oxygen evolution in low-iridium water electrolysis

Asymmetric dual-electron bridge via gradient orbital coupling for robust alkaline oxygen evolution in low-iridium water electrolysis | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Energy & Environmental Materials This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 9 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Asymmetric dual-electron bridge via gradient orbital coupling for robust alkaline oxygen evolution in low-iridium water electrolysis Authors : Guiling Wu , Qianlin Chen 0000-0003-2549-963X , Feng Wang , Yan Zhao 0000-0002-1234-4455 [email protected] , and Zhaoyang Wang Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176799270.09850612/v1 Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of record Peer review timeline 178 views 117 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Oxygen evolution reaction (OER), limited by high overpotential and sluggish kinetics, represents a major bottleneck for electrochemical water splitting toward green hydrogen production. Constructing asymmetric A–O–B motifs to modulate the electronic density of states near the Fermi level through orbital coupling is crucial for optimizing the surface chemisorption properties of transition metals, thereby enabling the development of electrocatalysts with high intrinsic activity and stability. Herein, an IrOx nanocluster-coupled Fe/Eu co-doped nickel telluride composite catalyst (IrOx/FeEu-NiTex) with ultralow Eu (0.72 at%) and Ir (0.14 at%) content was synthesized using an in situ hydrothermal method followed by an electrochemical deposition strategy. Benefiting from the design of an asymmetric dual-electron bridge structure with gradient orbital coupling (Ni 3d–O 2p–Eu 4f, Ni 3d–O 2p–Ir 5d), the electronic structure of the catalyst is effectively modulated, thereby enabling the optimization of adsorption behaviors for reaction intermediates. Consequently, the optimized IrOx/FeEu-NiTex electrode exhibits superior OER performance, delivering low overpotentials of 205 mV and 334 mV at current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, it maintains long-term stability for over 1000 hours at high current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm−2. When integrated into an alkaline water electrolyzer, the system achieves a current density of 500 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage of 1.64 V and demonstrates stable operation for over 1000 hours. This study successfully develops a high-performance rare-earth-based OER catalyst by constructing an asymmetric dual-electron bridge structure with gradient orbital coupling, providing new insights into electronic structure engineering strategies. Supplementary Material File (manuscript.docx) Download 39.72 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 09 January 2026 Peer review timeline Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of Record 16 Apr 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Energy & Environmental Materials Keywords dual-electron bridge gradient orbital coupling low iridium oxygen evolution reaction rare earth element Authors Affiliations Guiling Wu Guizhou University View all articles by this author Qianlin Chen 0000-0003-2549-963X Guizhou University View all articles by this author Feng Wang Hubei Engineering University View all articles by this author Yan Zhao 0000-0002-1234-4455 [email protected] Sichuan University View all articles by this author Zhaoyang Wang Hubei Engineering University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 178 views 117 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Guiling Wu, Qianlin Chen, Feng Wang, et al. Asymmetric dual-electron bridge via gradient orbital coupling for robust alkaline oxygen evolution in low-iridium water electrolysis. Authorea . 09 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176799270.09850612/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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