Boosting the HER electrocatalytic activity over RuCu-supported carbon nanosheets as efficient pH-independent catalysts

Electrochemical water splitting to produce hydrogen is a key technology for converting sustainable energy into chemical fuels. The high overpotential and sluggish kinetics for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) lead to low energy conversion efficiency. Herein, we report a new electrocatalyst of RuCu supported on guanine-derived carbon nanosheets for highly efficient HER, in which the trace Cu of 0.1 wt% loadings can significantly boost the electrocatalytic activity during the whole pH range. Specifically, the 0.5Ru0.1Cu-GN1000 can release a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) at 68 mV and 157 mV in 1.0 M KOH and 0.5 MH2SO4, respectively. This catalyst still delivers a high HER activity even in the actual seawater. The improvement of HER activity can be ascribed to the strong interaction between Ru and Cu, resulting in the formation of an electron-rich state of Ru nanoparticles at the surface for series of HER at low overpotential. This research has opened up a promising pathway towards electrocatalytic water splitting through the innovation of carbon support and the modulation of metal interactions.

Automated summary

This study presents a new RuCu electrocatalyst supported on guanine-derived carbon nanosheets for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The interaction between Ru and Cu leads to the formation of an electron-rich state of Ru nanoparticles at the surface, enhancing the HER activity. This research opens up a promising pathway for electrocatalytic water splitting through innovative carbon support and metal interaction modulation.