RuP₂‐Based Catalysts with Platinum‐like Activity and Higher Durability for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at All pH Values

Abstract

Highly active, stable, and cheap Pt-free catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are under increasing demand for future energy conversion systems. However, developing HER electrocatalysts with Pt-like activity that can function at all pH values still remains as a great challenge. Herein, based on our theoretical predictions, we design and synthesize a novel N,P dual-doped carbon-encapsulated ruthenium diphosphide (RuP @NPC) nanoparticle electrocatalyst for HER. Electrochemical tests reveal that, compared with the Pt/C catalyst, RuP @NPC not only has Pt-like HER activity with small overpotentials at 10 mA cm (38 mV in 0.5 m H SO , 57 mV in 1.0 m PBS and 52 mV in 1.0 m KOH), but demonstrates superior stability at all pH values, as well as 100 % Faradaic yields. Therefore, this work adds to the growing family of transition-metal phosphides/heteroatom-doped carbon heterostructures with advanced performance in HER.

Efficient and Robust Hydrogen Evolution: Phosphorus Nitride Imide Nanotubes as Supports for Anchoring Single Ruthenium Sites

“…The atomic dispersion of Ru atoms can be distinguished by X-ray absorption fine structure measurements and spherical aberration correction electron microscopy. [6] Several Ru nanostructures have been demonstrated to be active for the HER;h owever, further isolation of the Ru species is desired to optimize the mass activity and improve the stability of such catalysts-especially at high current densities.As is well-known, the support material plays an important role in optimizing the local geometric and electronic structures of single-metal sites because of strong metal-support interactions. Additionally,R uSAs@PN presents at urnover frequency (TOF) of 1.67 H 2 s À1 at 25 mV,a nd 4.29 H 2 s À1 at 50 mV,i n 0.5 m H 2 SO 4 solution, outperforming most of the reported hydrogen evolution catalysts.Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrate that the Gibbsf ree energy of adsorbed H* over the Ru SAs on PN is muchc loser to zero compared with the Ru/C and Ru SAs supported on carbon and C 3 N 4 ,t hus considerably facilitating the overall HER performance.…”

“…[2] To date,platinum (Pt)-based compounds are considered to be one of the most effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts under acidic conditions because of the appropriate strength of the PtÀHb ond, which facilitates hydrogen desorption from the surface of the catalyst. [6] Several Ru nanostructures have been demonstrated to be active for the HER;h owever, further isolation of the Ru species is desired to optimize the mass activity and improve the stability of such catalysts-especially at high current densities. [4] Recently,non-precious metalbased catalysts have been studied extensively,s uch as carbides,n itrides,o xides,p hosphides,s ulfides,a nd selenides of transition metals.…”

“…[4] Recently,non-precious metalbased catalysts have been studied extensively,s uch as carbides,n itrides,o xides,p hosphides,s ulfides,a nd selenides of transition metals. [6] Several Ru nanostructures have been demonstrated to be active for the HER;h owever, further isolation of the Ru species is desired to optimize the mass activity and improve the stability of such catalysts-especially at high current densities. [6] Several Ru nanostructures have been demonstrated to be active for the HER;h owever, further isolation of the Ru species is desired to optimize the mass activity and improve the stability of such catalysts-especially at high current densities.…”

Spatially Confined Assembly of Monodisperse Ruthenium Nanoclusters in a Hierarchically Ordered Carbon Electrode for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

“…[5,6] Although Pt and Ru have roughly similar abundances in the Earthscrust, the high energy demands associated with refining Pt derived from numerous industries position refined Ru metal as ac omparatively inexpensive alternative. [5,6] Although Pt and Ru have roughly similar abundances in the Earthscrust, the high energy demands associated with refining Pt derived from numerous industries position refined Ru metal as ac omparatively inexpensive alternative.…”

Highly Efficient Utilization of Precious Metals for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction with Photo‐Assisted Electro‐Deposited Urchin‐Like Te Nanostructure as a Template

“…[1][2][3] As benchmark electrocatalysts, precious metal-based catalysts have been proved to be the most efficient catalysts. The three-dimensional structure of urchin-like Te can not only accelerate the interface charge transfer, but also enhance the structural stability of the catalysts.…”