Modulation of the electronic structure of bimetallic FeRu alloy nanoparticles for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution

Abstract

An FeRu alloy nanoparticle electrocatalyst supported on nickel foam (FeRu/NF) has been synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The optimal catalyst (Fe₁Ru₂/NF) exhibits an overpotential of 22 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 59 mV dec⁻¹ in 1 M KOH. The Fe₁Ru₂/NF‖NiFe-LDH two-electrode cell achieves a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a remarkably low cell voltage of 1.49 V.