Ru/MoO2 decorated on CNT networks as an efficient electrocatalyst for boosting hydrogen evolution reaction

Generally, electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is hampered by slow kinetics and low round-trip efficiency. Electrocatalysts with a hierarchical structure and large surface area are expected to overcome these problems. Herein, we prepared a Ru/MoO2/ carbon nanotubes (RMC) hybrid with a hierarchical structure by a convenient solid-phase reaction (SPR) method, and studied the electrochemical activity for HER. After annealing as-prepared RuO2/MoO2/carbon nanotubes (ROMC) precursor in a tubular furnace under Ar atmosphere, RuO2 and MoS2 were in-situ transformed into Ru metal and MoO2 phase by the redox SPR. Through various tests, we have confirmed that the new formed Ru metal and MoO2 phase are combined and uniformly coated on the outer surface of CNTs. Interestingly, the RMC-500 exhibits the best HER performance with a low overpotential of 16 mV at l0 mA cm-2, small Tafel slope of 45 mV dec �1, higher electrochemical active surface area, and long-time durability in alkaline electrolyte. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a hierarchical Ru/MoO2/carbon nanotubes hybrid was prepared by a solid-phase reaction method and exhibited excellent performance for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolyte.