RuP2-Based Catalysts with Platinum-like Activity and Higher Durability for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at All pH Values

Highly active, stable, and cheap Pt-free catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are under increasing demand for future energy conversion systems. However, developing HER electrocatalysts with Pt-like activity that can function at all pH values still remains as a great challenge. Herein, based on our theoretical predictions, we design and synthesize a novel N, P dual-doped carbon-encapsulated ruthenium diphosphide (RuP2@NPC) nanoparticle electrocatalyst for HER. Electrochemical tests reveal that, compared with the Pt/C catalyst, RuP2@NPC not only has Pt-like HER activity with small overpotentials at 10 mA cm(-2) (38 mV in 0.5m H2SO4, 57 mV in 1.0 M PBS and 52 mV in 1.0 m KOH), but demonstrates superior stability at all pH values, as well as 100% Faradaic yields. Therefore, this work adds to the growing family of transition-metal phosphides/heteroatomdoped carbon heterostructures with advanced performance in HER.