Restructured Co‐Ru alloys via electrodeposition for efficient hydrogen production in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

Abstract

Summary The design of robust and high‐performance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for the scalable production of hydrogen by electrochemical water splitting. In this work, we fabricated hierarchically porous Co‐Ru catalysts with excellent catalytic activity and durability in acidic media. The morphology of the Co‐Ru catalysts was successfully controlled through an optimized electrochemical process. Among all Co‐Ru samples prepared in this study, the Co72Ru28 catalyst exhibited the largest catalytic surface area, as well as excellent HER activity (overpotential of 26.4 mV at −10 mA cm−2) and durability. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed the electron transfer between Co and Ru, indicating that the formation of the Co‐Ru alloy improved the activity and durability of the catalyst. Furthermore, a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) prepared with the Co72Ru28 sample showed excellent performances (3.4 A cm−2 at 2.0 Vcell), illustrating the promising potential of the present Co‐Ru catalysts as cathode materials for PEMWE systems.

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

“…78 The Ru-alloy-based hybrid catalyst achieves excellent HER performance through the synergistic effect between different metals. 79 Therefore, the Ru-based hybrid electrocatalysts were discussed in this section.…”

“…The Ru-compound-based hybrid catalysts can significantly improve HER performance by optimizing the electronic structure . The Ru-alloy-based hybrid catalyst achieves excellent HER performance through the synergistic effect between different metals . Therefore, the Ru-based hybrid electrocatalysts were discussed in this section.…”

Hollow structural materials derived from a MOFs/polymer loaded CoRu alloy for significantly boosting electrochemical overall water splitting

“…32 Electrodeposition was also an effective method to introduce Ru. 33 For example, Zhao et al synthesized Ru-Pt rich Co nanowires by electrodeposition. 34 In addition to this, in situ growth and template methods were also some common approaches.…”

Transition‐metal‐incorporated molybdenum phosphide nanocatalysts synthesized through post‐synthetic transformation for the hydrogen evolution reaction

“…18,19 In addition, TMPs are emerging materials as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts owing to their high electrical conductivity, robust durability in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes, and better cost efficiency compared to those of Pt-group metals. 17,[19][20][21][22] Monometallic TMPs have been extensively studied by varying their metal species and stoichiometric ratios from metal-rich to phosphorus-rich, including MoP, Ni 2 P, Ni 12 P 5 , Co 2 P, CoP, and CoP 2 . [23][24][25] In particular, molybdenum phosphide is a promising catalyst material for the HER because it is relatively inexpensive, highly stable toward dissolution in acidic environments, and its Ptlike Gibbs-free energy, which can be achieved by modulating the metal-hydrogen bond strength.…”

“…Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have been widely studied as important materials for various applications, such as supercapacitors, 16 catalysts for CO 2 reduction, 17 and the oxygen evolution reaction 18,19 . In addition, TMPs are emerging materials as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts owing to their high electrical conductivity, robust durability in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes, and better cost efficiency compared to those of Pt‐group metals 17,19‐22 . Monometallic TMPs have been extensively studied by varying their metal species and stoichiometric ratios from metal‐rich to phosphorus‐rich, including MoP, Ni 2 P, Ni 12 P 5 , Co 2 P, CoP, and CoP 2 23‐25 .…”