Issue 41, 2023

Realization of electron-deficient Ru sites via Co4N coupling for synergistically enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Ruthenium (Ru), benefitting from efficient water dissociation ability, is considered a good candidate for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); however, the strong binding of H intermediates over Ru sites leads to a limited desorption behavior and thus an unsatisfactory HER activity. Here, we propose a strategy to fabricate a well-defined hetero-interface via anchoring Ru nanoparticles on Co4N nanorods grown on nickel foam (Ru/Co4N/NF). The as-prepared Ru/Co4N/NF catalyst is demonstrated to effectively catalyze water splitting into hydrogen in an alkaline electrolyte, with an overpotential of 145 mV to reach 100 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 25 mV dec−1, far surpassing bare Ru/NF and Co4N/NF. Experimental observations combined with computational simulations reveal that the charge migration from Ru to Co4N contributes to the formation of electron-deficient Ru sites and shifts the d-band center away from the Fermi level, which is conducive to hydrogen desorption. Meanwhile, the electron coupling effect between Ru and Co4N reduces the H2O adsorption energy and allows more electrons to participate in H2O molecule activation.

Graphical abstract: Realization of electron-deficient Ru sites via Co4N coupling for synergistically enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 Aug. 2023
Accepted
02 Okt. 2023
First published
02 Okt. 2023

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 22147-22153

Realization of electron-deficient Ru sites via Co4N coupling for synergistically enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution

M. Xing, X. Guo, W. Yuan, W. Chen, M. Du, L. Cai, V. Nicolosi, Y. Chai and B. Qiu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 22147 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA04769E

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