Recent Advances and Perspectives in Ru Hybrid Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The water-splitting reaction for green hydrogen generationrequireshighly efficient catalysts on the side for the hydrogen evolutionreaction (HER), and metal ruthenium (Ru) is considered a promisingcatalyst as a result of its similar property in hydrogen-bonding abilitybut low cost compared to Pt-based materials. The performance is furtherboosted by the recently developed hybrid Ru-based electrocatalysts.To reveal the relationship between the hybrid catalyst systems andactivity for Ru-based catalysts, the research progress of heterostructuredRu hybrid catalysts in the HER is reviewed in this effort. The enhancementof HER activity of Ru hybrid catalysts is first described on the basisof the synergistic effect, strain effect, and electronic effect, andthen, the latest progress is discussed in three categories of singleruthenium catalysts, ruthenium-related compounds, and ruthenium alloycatalysts. It is concluded that the heterostructured interface engineeringstrategy plays an important role in enhancing the activity of Ru-basedcatalysts in the HER. In the end, the actual problems and challengesare discussed, e.g., the intrinsic activity and stability, applicationin the real device, etc. It is recommended to pay attention to thelong-term stability, performance, and structural evolution as wellas the application of the catalysts in the devices. It is hoped thatthis effort will help with understanding the progress of Ru-basedhybrid catalysts in the field of HER catalysis.

Automated summary

This review discusses the research progress of heterostructured Ru-based hybrid catalysts in the water-splitting reaction for green hydrogen generation. The activity of Ru-based catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction is enhanced through synergistic effect, strain effect, and electronic effect. The latest progress in single ruthenium catalysts, ruthenium-related compounds, and ruthenium alloy catalysts is also discussed. Challenges such as intrinsic activity and stability, as well as application in real devices, are addressed.