Spectroscopic capture of a low-spin Mn(IV)-oxo species in Ni–Mn3O4 nanoparticles during water oxidation catalysis

Abstract

Understanding reaction intermediates provides a foundation for active electrocatalysts’ design, but it remains elusive for heterogeneous electrocatalysts. Here, the authors report the spectroscopic characterization of low-spin Mn(IV)-oxo as the active intermediates during electrochemical water oxidation.