Fragment-interconnected nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanosheets loaded with platinum group metals for highly boosted hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution

Ruthenium-Based Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: from Nanoparticles to Single Atoms

Benefiting from similar hydrogen bonding energy to Pt and much lower price compare with Pt, Ru based catalysts are promising candidates for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalytic activity of Ru nanoparticles can be enhanced through improving their dispersion by using different supports, and the strong metal supports interaction can further regulate their catalytic performance. In addition, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with almost 100% atomic utilization attract great attention and the coordinative atmosphere of single atoms can be adjusted by supports. Moreover, the syngenetic effects of nanoparticles and single atoms can further improve the catalytic performance of Ru based catalysts. In this review, the progress of Ru based HER electrocatalysts are summarized according to their existing forms, including nanoparticles (NPs), single atoms (SAs) and the combination of both NPs and SAs. The common supports such as carbon materials, metal oxides, metal phosphides and metal sulfides are classified to clarify the metal supports interaction and coordinative atmosphere of Ru active centers. Especially, the possible catalytic mechanisms and the reasons for the improved catalytic performance are discussed from both experimental results and theoretical calculations. Finally, some challenges and opportunities are prospected to facilitate the development of Ru based catalysts for HER.

Metal–support interactions of 2D carbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

The synthesis, modulation and effect of MSI on 2D carbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for the HER.

Fabrication of Ru/WO3-W2N/N-doped carbon sheets for hydrogen evolution reaction

Recent experimental analysis indicates WO₃-based nanostructures exhibit poor hydrogen evolution reactivity, particularly in alkaline medium, arising from the low electron transfer rate. It is imperative to tune the composition and structure of WO₃ to boost the cleavage of H-OH bond. Here, we construct Ru/WO₃-W₂N/N-doped carbon sheets (Ru/WO₃-W₂N/NC) using m-WO₃ nanosheets as precursors with the aid of RuCl₃, Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, and dopamine. Structural investigation reveals the formation of N-doped carbon sheets, Ru nanoparticles, and WO₃-W₂N. As a result, hydrogen evolution reactivity is greatly improved on Ru/WO₃-W₂N/N-doped carbon sheets with 64 mV at 10 mA/cm² in 1 mol/L (M) KOH, outperforming most of WO₃-based electrocatalysts in previous literatures. Meanwhile, it facilitates the generation of H₂ in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ with the excellent activity of 110 mV at 10 mA/cm². Our work provides an efficient strategy to tailor the electronic structure of WO₃ to catalyze acidic and alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

Facile synthesis of novel molybdenum disulfide decorated banana peel porous carbon electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen is one of the cleanest renewable and environmentally friendly energy resource that can be generated through water splitting. However, hydrogen evolution occurs at high overpotential, and efficient hydrogen evolution catalysts are desired to replace state-of-the-art catalysts such as platinum. In the present work, a novel molybdenum disulfide decorated banana peel porous carbon (MoS₂@BPPC) catalyst has been developed using banana peel carbon and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Banana peel porous carbon (BPPC) was initially synthesized from the banana peel (biowaste) by a simple carbonization method. Subsequently, 20 wt% of bare MoS₂ was distributed on the pristine BPPC matrix using the dry-impregnation method. The resulting MoS₂@BPPC composites were systematically investigated to determine the morphology and structure. Finally, using a three-electrode cell system, pristine BPPC, bare MoS₂, and MoS₂@BPPC composite were used as HER electrocatalysts. The developed MoS₂@BPPC composite showed greater HER activity and possessed excellent stability in the acid solution, including an overpotential of 150 mV at a current density of -10 mA cm^-2, and a Tafel slope of 51 mV dec^-1. This Tafel study suggests that the HER takes place by Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism with a rate-determining Heyrovsky step. The excellent electrochemical performance of MoS₂@BPPC composite for HER can be ascribed to its unique porous nanoarchitecture. Further, due to the synergetic effect between MoS₂ and porous carbon. The HER activity using the MoS₂@BPPC electrode advises that the prepared catalyst may hold great promise for practical applications.