Zhang-Rice singlets state formed by two-step oxidation for triggering water oxidation under operando conditions

Abstract

The Zhang-Rice singlet is known for the superconductivity of high-temperature superconductors cuprate but is rarely studied for an electrochemical catalyst. Here, the authors use operando spectroscopic tools and observe Cu active site evolves into high-valent CuO4 geometry with Cu3+ active species, so-called Zhang-Rice singlet state, during oxygen evolution reaction.