Solvent-free microwave synthesis of ultra-small Ru-Mo2C@CNT with strong metal-support interaction for industrial hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Exploring a simple, fast, solvent-free synthetic method for large-scale preparation of cheap, highly active electrocatalysts for industrial hydrogen evolution reaction is one of the most promising work today. In this work, a simple, fast and solvent-free microwave pyrolysis method is used to synthesize ultra-small (3.5 nm) Ru-Mo2C@CNT catalyst with heterogeneous structure and strong metal-support interaction in one step. The Ru-Mo2C@CNT catalyst only exhibits an overpotential of 15 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, and exhibits a large turnover frequency value up to 21.9 s−1 under an overpotential of 100 mV in 1.0 M KOH. In addition, this catalyst can reach high current densities of 500 mA cm−2 and 1000 mA cm−2 at low overpotentials of 56 mV and 78 mV respectively, and it displays high stability of 1000 h. This work provides a feasible way for the reasonable design of other large-scale production catalysts.

Systematic Engineering on Ni‐Based Nanocatalysts Effectively Promote Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…It is clearly shown in Figure 1d that the nanoparticles are bound to the CNT due to strong interaction between them that improved structural stability of the materials. [ 39 ] The high‐resolution TEM (HRTEM) image shows that the presence of crystalline and amorphous heterojunctions in the catalyst (Figure 1d). In addition, a lattice spacing of 0.204 nm can be easily observed in the crystalline region, which a little expansion caused by Ir doping, corresponding to the Ni (111) crystalline surface.…”

Electron Density Modulation of MoO2/Ni to Produce Superior Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation Activities

“…In order to investigate the influence of the interface on the reaction kinetics, Tafel plots were obtained (Figure b). The Tafel slope of MoO 2 /Ni@NF is 65.52 mV dec –1 , which is lower than those of MoO 2 @CP (104.05 mV dec –1 ) and Ni@NF (92.46 mV dec –1 ), indicating that the formation of interfaces possessed faster reaction kinetics. − …”

Selectively Growing a Highly Active Interface of Mixed Nb–Rh Oxide/2D Carbon for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production

“…Compared with traditional nanoparticles, mixed metal atom catalysts anchoring on supports with highly active interface have aroused considerable interests due to the unique characters such as the high atom utilization efficiency, large specific surface area, and extremely active and selective catalysis for various reactions. [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] Recently, many mixed metal atom catalysts have been reported and exhibited superior catalytic performance for HER. [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] For example, phosphate‐substituted β ‐NiMoO 4 exhibits the optimal hydrogen adsorption free energy and elevated HER activity due to the abundant active electronic states.…”

“…[ 11 , 12 , 13 ] Recently, many mixed metal atom catalysts have been reported and exhibited superior catalytic performance for HER. [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] For example, phosphate‐substituted β ‐NiMoO 4 exhibits the optimal hydrogen adsorption free energy and elevated HER activity due to the abundant active electronic states. [ 14 ] Ru‐Mo 2 C supported on carbon nanotube (Ru‐Mo 2 C@CNT) showed superior HER performance to commercial Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte.…”

“…[ 14 ] Ru‐Mo 2 C supported on carbon nanotube (Ru‐Mo 2 C@CNT) showed superior HER performance to commercial Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte. [ 11 ] Besides, the tunable electron structures and coordination environment of the metal atom active sites can effectively tailor the catalytic performance. [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] Although metal atom catalysts are highly advanced in electrocatalysis, their own prominent weaknesses, such as uncontrollable size distribution, easy aggregation of active sites, and unclear valence state and structure–property–performance relationship, remain to be addressed.…”