Rational design of RuCu(PxOy) nanosheets for synergistically enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline medium

Abstract

A robust catalyst of RuCu(P_xO_y) nanosheets is obtained by a simple hydrothermal method for alkaline HER. Structural analysis reveals that RuCu(P_xO_y) nanosheets are mainly composed of metallic Ru and amorphous Cu(P_xO_y), which can effectively accelerate electron transfer during the process of the HER. In alkaline electrolyte, the RuCu(P_xO_y) catalyst possesses a small overpotential of 67 mV (10 mA cm⁻²) and Tafel slope of 90 mV dec⁻¹, which surpasses the Ru(P_xO_y), Cu(P_xO_y), and RuCu samples. In addition, such a catalyst for the HER can be extended to acidic media. This study is beneficial to the rational design of advanced efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical HER in alkaline electrolytes.