Crystallized RuTe2 as unexpected bifunctional catalyst for overall water splitting

Bifunctional catalysis for water splitting is for the first time realized on Ru noble metal in the form of crystallized RuTe2 nanoparticles on graphene. Super activity to the state-of-the-art Pt and RuO2 is found for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of the high degree of crystallinity, uniform distribution of nanoparticles, and electronic effect in the catalyst system. It offers a low cell voltage of 1.57 V to drive 10 mA cm(-2), 100 mV lower than that of Pt/C-RuO2 benchmark electrodes in an alkaline electrolyte, along with a pretty good chemical and structural stability in the strong corrosive environment. The theory calculation confirms the superior intermediates adsorption property because of the Ru/Te synergism, and Pt like/RuO2 like character for water splitting reaction. It is a very promising catalyst in the alkaline electrolyzer due to the reliable catalytic ability and relatively low price (1/4 Pt).