Solid Catalysts Break the Rules: Simultaneous Oxygen Evolution Opens New Horizons

In a remarkable discovery that challenges established theories, researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen have revealed that oxygen evolution steps on solid catalysts can happen simultaneously rather than sequentially. This finding could revolutionize our understanding of energy conversion processes and advance the efficiency of green hydrogen production.

Solid Catalyst Oxygen Evolution

Rethinking Catalytic Mechanisms

Traditionally, models of heterogeneous catalysis—where solid catalysts interact with gaseous or liquid reactants—assumed that elementary steps like adsorption (reactants binding to the surface) and desorption (products leaving the surface) occur in a sequential manner. However, this new study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that in some cases, these steps can proceed simultaneously.

The team led by Prof. Dr. Kai S. Exner discovered this phenomenon while studying iridium dioxide (IrO₂), a widely used anode material in water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Using advanced computational modeling, they observed a "Walden-like mechanism," similar to what is known from homogeneous catalysis in solutions. This challenges decades of assumptions and opens new design strategies for more efficient catalysts.

Implications for Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage

Oxygen evolution is a critical bottleneck in water splitting, one of the most energy-intensive steps in producing green hydrogen. By understanding and leveraging simultaneous reaction pathways, scientists may be able to design solid catalysts that emulate the efficiency of homogeneous systems, potentially unlocking faster, more sustainable energy technologies.

“This contradicts previous ideas and opens up new possibilities for improving solid catalysts that are more closely aligned with the principles of homogeneous processes in solution.”
— Prof. Dr. Kai S. Exner, University of Duisburg-Essen

A Step Toward Smarter Catalysts

This discovery may inspire the next generation of solid catalysts for renewable energy applications, from electrolysis systems to advanced batteries. By integrating concepts from both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, researchers can innovate solutions to global energy challenges.

Read the original article here: https://phys.org/news/2025-07-solid-catalyst-oxygen-evolution-simultaneously.html

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