Colloidal bimetallic platinum–ruthenium nanoparticles in ordered mesoporous carbon films as highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen features a very high specific energy density and is therefore a promising candidate for clean fuel from renewable resources. Water electrolysis can convert electrical energy into storable and transportable hydrogen gas. Under acidic conditions, platinum is the most active and stable monometallic catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Yet, platinum is rare and needs to be used efficiently. Here, we report a synthesis concept for colloidal bimetallic platinum-ruthenium and rhodium-ruthenium nanoparticles (PtRuNP, RhRuNP) and their incorporation into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) films. The films exhibit high surface area, good electrical conductivity and well-dispersed nanoparticles inside the mesopores. The nanoparticles retain their size, crystallinity and composition during carbonization. In the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), PtRuNP/OMC catalyst films show up to five times higher activity per Pt than Pt/C/Nafion® and PtRu/C/Nafion® reference catalysts.

CuNi Nanoalloys with Tunable Composition and Oxygen Defects for the Enhancement of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction**

“…However, most of the reported nanocatalysts applied in the oxygen evolution are based on the combination of one or more noble metals like Rh, PtÀ Ru, IrÀ Ni, IrÀ Fe, and PtÀ Ni; whereas studies based on noble metal-free alloys are still scarce. [15][16][17][18][19] In this work, a set of five mono-and bimetallic CuNi nanoparticles (CuNiNPs) with tailored composition and controlled particle size were prepared. Such CuNiNPs were fully characterized, revealing a homogeneous alloyed structure.…”

Recent Advances and Perspectives in Ru Hybrid Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…Because the bonding energy of noble metals with H was weaker than that of Ru, the strong adsorption energy of H on the Ru surface can be tuned to increase the hydrogen evolution performance . The Ru-related noble metal alloy catalysts, such as PtRu, , RhRu, PdRu, , IrRu, − AuRu, etc., have been developed recently. The alloyed RuPt nanoparticles can reduce the amount of necessary Pt and retain the enhanced catalytic activity of Pt .…”

“…The alloyed RuPt nanoparticles can reduce the amount of necessary Pt and retain the enhanced catalytic activity of Pt . The colloidal bimetallic Pt–Ru and Rh–Ru nanoparticles (PtRuNP and RhRuNP) and their incorporation into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) exhibited a large surface area and great electrical conductivity for the catalysis reaction . Besides, Pd can strongly capture hydrogen in alkaline and acidic media to promote hydrogen evolution as a result of its strong hydrogen-binding energy.…”

“…125 The colloidal bimetallic Pt−Ru and Rh−Ru nanoparticles (PtRuNP and RhRuNP) and their incorporation into ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) exhibited a large surface area and great electrical conductivity for the catalysis reaction. 126 Besides, Pd can strongly capture hydrogen in alkaline and acidic media to promote hydrogen evolution as a result of its strong hydrogen-binding energy. Therefore, the alloys formed by Ru and Pd can also improve HER properties.…”

Mesoporous WCx Films with NiO‐Protected Surface: Highly Active Electrocatalysts for the Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“… [27] Ordered mesoporous carbon or carbides could be used to provide both high electrical conductivity and high porosity, yet they suffer from oxidative corrosion during OER. [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] Moreover, the study of powder electrocatalysts mostly relies on the addition of binders such as Nafion. [ 27 , 32 , 33 ] The latter was shown to partially block active sites and hampers analyses of the spent catalysts.…”