Cobalt Single Atom Incorporated in Ruthenium Oxide Sphere: A Robust Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for HER and OER

The development of highly active and stable bifunctional noble-metal-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial goal for clean and renewable energy, which still remains challenging. Herein, we report an efficient and stable catalyst comprising a Co single atom incorporated in an RuO2 sphere for HER and OER, in which the Co single atom in the RuO2 sphere was confirmed by XAS, AC-STEM, and DFT. This tailoring strategy uses a Co single atom to modify the electronic structures of the surrounding Ru atoms and thereby remarkably elevates the electrocatalytic activities. The catalyst requires ultralow overpotentials, 45 mV for HER and 200 mV for OER, to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm(-2). The theoretical calculations reveal that the energy barriers for HER and OER are lowered after incorporation of a cobalt single atom.

Automated summary

This paper presents an efficient and stable catalyst composed of a single Co atom in RuO2 sphere for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By modifying the electronic structures of surrounding Ru atoms with a Co single atom, the electrocatalytic activities are remarkably enhanced. The catalyst exhibits ultralow overpotentials and delivers high current densities.