RuP2-based hybrids derived from MOFs: highly efficient pH-universal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Rational design of efficient, low-cost, and durable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in various pH media is highly desirable but remains challenging. Herein, for the first time, we present a novel hybrid of ruthenium diphosphide encapsulated in P-doped porous carbon (denoted as RuP₂@PC) utilizing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as templates by a multi-step strategy. Unexpectedly, benefitting from the synergistic contribution of highly dispersed ultrafine RuP₂ nanoparticles, porous carbon skeleton, and P-dopant, the as-synthesized RuP₂@PC exhibits exceptional catalytic activity and superior durability as pH-universal electrocatalysts for the HER. Particularly, a low overpotential of 78.9 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 36.7 mV dec⁻¹ can be achieved in 1.0 M KOH toward the HER. Such outstanding electrocatalytic properties exceed those of commercial Pt/C and rank the catalyst among the best HER electrocatalysts reported until now. Importantly, this work paves a new route in elaborately fabricating efficient and stable electrocatalysts based on MOFs for energy-related fields.