Triple Interface Optimization of Ru‐based Electrocatalyst with Enhanced Activity and Stability for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

A challenging task is to promote Ru atom economy and simultaneously alleviate Ru dissolution during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process. Herein, Ru nanograins (≈1.7 nm in size) uniformly grown on 1T-MoS 2 lace-decorated Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene sheets (Ru@1T-MoS 2 -MXene) are successfully synthesized with three types of interfaces (Ru/MoS 2 , Ru/MXene, and MoS 2 /MXene). It gives high mass activity of 0.79 mA µg Ru −1 at an overpotential of 100 mV, which is ≈36 times that of Ru NPs. It also has a much smaller Ru dissolution rate (9 ng h −1 ), accounting for 22% of the rate for Ru NPs. Electrochemical tests, scanning electrochemical microscopy measurements combined with DFT calculations disclose the role of triple interface optimization in improved activity and stability. First, 2D MoS 2 and MXene can well disperse and stabilize Ru grains, giving larger electrochemical active area. Then, Ru/MoS 2 interfaces weakening H * adsorption energy and Ru/MXene interfaces enhancing electrical conductivity, can efficiently improve the activity. Next, MoS 2 /MXene interfaces can protect MXene sheet edges from oxidation and keep 1T-MoS 2 phase stability during the long-term catalytic process. Meanwhile, Ru@1T-MoS 2 -MXene also displays superior activity and stability in neutral and alkaline media. This work provides a multiple-interface optimization route to develop high-efficiency and durable pH-universal Ru-based HER electrocatalysts.

Reconstructing Oxygen‐Deficient Zirconia with Ruthenium Catalyst on Atomic‐Scale Interfaces toward Hydrogen Production

“…[14] Notably, peaks related to hexagonal Ru metal were not observed in the XRD pattern (Figure S6, Supporting Information). [15] As expected, the XRD peaks of the ZrO 2 annealed in the air were very sharp and indicated the peak positions corresponding to the m-ZrO 2 because of the absence of oxygen vacancy and the much larger size of the ZrO 2 particles (Figure 1c). [14] While the oxygen vacancies were significantly increased by Ar (oxygenfree) heat treatment, the oxygen vacancies hardly formed in the ZrO 2 obtained by annealing in the air (an oxygen-rich environment) (Figure S7, Supporting Information).…”

Directly Grow Ultrasmall Co2P QDs on MoS2 Nanosheets to Form Heterojunctions Greatly Boosting Electron Transfer toward Hydrogen Evolution

“…These results strongly indicate that there is a strong electronic interaction between Co 2 P and MoS 2 , which implies the establishment of a coupling interface. The high-resolution XPS in Figure 3c shows two prominent peaks at 129.6 and 130.5 eV, which can be assigned to P 2p 3/2 and P 2p 1/2 in Co 2 P and Co 2 P QDs/MoS 2 heterojunction, 31 and the peak at 133.5 eV is ascribed to oxidized P species. As shown in Figure 3d, for the MoS 2 -CC and Co 2 P QDs/MoS 2 heterojunction, the XPS peak of S 2p can be seen, and the peaks at 161.42 and 163 eV correspond to S 2p 3/2 and S 2p 1/2 .…”

“…KOH) electrodes were used as counter and reference electrodes, respectively. The experiment was carried out for 5 min at room temperature with constant voltage electrodeposition . After deposition, the electrodes were rinsed carefully with deionized water and vacuum dry at room temperature for 12 h. Using the same conditions, Co 2 P was electrodeposited on pure CC.…”

Interface Density Engineering on Heterogeneous Molybdenum Dichalcogenides Enabling Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis and Sodium Ion Storage

“…[12][13][14][15] Among them, the heterointerface engineering is fruitful and attractive. [16][17][18][19][20][21] Strong electronic interactions between different components will trigger striking atom and charge redistribution at the interfaces, giving rise to more accessible active sites, suitable adsorption/desorption strength of reaction intermediates, and favorable ion/electron transfer. [22,23] For example, MoS 2 /Co 9 S 8 and MoS 2 /Ni 3 S 2 heterointerfaces were reported to promote water dissociation and atomic hydrogen adsorption, respectively, which brought to outstanding HER activities in alkaline media.…”