Rational Design of RuCu(PxOy) Nanosheets for Synergistically Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Medium

Abstract

A robust catalyst of RuCu(PxOy) nanosheets is obtained by a simple hydrothermal method for alkaline HER. Structural analysis reveals that RuCu(PxOy) nanosheets are mainly composed of metallic Ru and amorphous Cu(PxOy), which can effectively accelerate electron transfer during the process of HER. In alkaline electrolyte, the RuCu(PxOy) catalyst possesses small overpotentials of 67 mV (10 mA cm-2) and Tafel slope of 90 mV dec-1, which surpasses the Ru(PxOy), Cu(PxOy), and RuCu samples. In addition, such a catalyst for HER can be extended to acidic media. This study is beneficial to the rational design of advanced efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical HER in alkaline electrolytes.