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High‐Performance Hydrogen Evolution by Ru Single Atoms and Nitrided‐Ru Nanoparticles Implanted on N‐Doped Graphitic Sheet
Author(s) -
Tiwari Jitendra N.,
Harzandi Ahmad M.,
Ha Miran,
Sultan Siraj,
Myung Chang Woo,
Park Hyo Ju,
Kim Dong Yeon,
Thangavel Pandiarajan,
Singh Aditya Narayan,
Sharma Pankaj,
Chandrasekaran Selvaraj Selva,
Salehnia Foad,
Jang JiWook,
Shin Hyeon Suk,
Lee Zonghoon,
Kim Kwang S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201900931
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , nitriding , materials science , catalysis , ruthenium , nanoparticle , melamine , doping , water splitting , hydrogen , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , electrode , chemistry , electrochemistry , composite material , layer (electronics) , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , photocatalysis , engineering
The most efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a Pt‐based catalyst, but its high cost and nonperfect efficiency hinder wide‐ranging industrial/technological applications. Here, an electrocatalyst of both ruthenium (Ru) single atoms (SAs) and N‐doped‐graphitic(G N )‐shell‐covered nitrided‐Ru nanoparticles (NPs) (having a Ru‐N x shell) embedded on melamine‐derived G N matrix { 1 : [Ru(SA)+Ru(NP)@RuN x @G N ]/G N }, which exhibits superior HER activity in both acidic and basic media, is presented. In 0.5 m H 2 SO 4 /1 m KOH solutions, 1 shows diminutive “negative overpotentials” (−η = |η| = 10/7 mV at 10 mA cm −2 , lowest ever) and high exchange current densities (4.70/1.96 mA cm −2 ). The remarkable HER performance is attributed to the near‐zero free energies for hydrogen adsorption/desorption on Ru(SAs) and the increased conductivity of melamine‐derived G N sheets by the presence of nitrided‐Ru(NPs). The nitridation process forming nitrided‐Ru(NPs), which are imperfectly covered by a G N shell, allows superb long‐term operation durability. The catalyst splits water into molecular oxygen and hydrogen at 1.50/1.40 V (in 0.1 m HClO 4 /1 m KOH), demonstrating its potential as a ready‐to‐use, highly effective energy device for industrial applications.