Advanced Ultrathin RuPdM (M = Ni, Co, Fe) Nanosheets Electrocatalyst Boosts Hydrogen Evolution

Dan Zhang, Huan Zhao, Bolong Huang, Bin Li, Hongdong Li, Yi Han, Zuochao Wang, Xueke Wu, Yue Pan, Yingjun Sun, Xuemei Sun, Jianping Lai, Lei Wang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

86 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the most significant reactions in the electrolysis water process, and electrocatalysts which possess high mass activity and excellent stability are the most important driving factors to improve the efficiency of HER. As for the efficient commercially electrocatalyst, Pt/C is limited in development because of its high cost. Therefore, the study of non-Pt high-efficiency catalysts is particularly important at this moment. Here, we creatively report for the first time a kind of RuPdM (M= Ni, Co, Fe) ultrathin nanosheets (NSs), which exhibit extraordinary electrochemical properties for HER under alkaline conditions. The overpotential of optimized trimetallic Ru38Pd34Ni28 ultrathin NSs is only 20 mV (10 mA cm-2), and the mass activity reaches 6.15 A mg-1 noble metal at -0.07 V vs RHE. It can be compared to Pt-based electrocatalysts, which have the highest mass activity currently reported. The durability tests also prove that the stability of the electrocatalyst is outstanding. DFT calculations disclose that the flexible modulation of electronic structures of RuPd ultrathin NSs is achieved by utilizing the additional 3d transition metals Fe, Co, and Ni. In particular, the Ni-3d bands act as the continuous electron-supply center for Ru to ensure an efficient electron transfer toward the adsorbates. Meanwhile, the stable Pd sites are critical for coupling the O-2pπorbital in the initial H2O splitting with a facile barrier. This work will open up a new era of non-Pt materials for alkaline hydrogen evolution toward practical application.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1991-1997
Number of pages7
JournalACS Central Science
Volume5
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Dec 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Advanced Ultrathin RuPdM (M = Ni, Co, Fe) Nanosheets Electrocatalyst Boosts Hydrogen Evolution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this