Synthesis of one-dimensional RuO2 nanorod for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction: An efficient and stable electrocatalyst

RuO2 nanorod (NR), an efficient and stable catalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction is developed via wet-chemical route. Initially, a carbon slurry has been prepared using glucose and urea via heating at 140 degrees C for 6 h. During the preparation of carbon slurry Ru3+ salt has been added to disperse homogeneously. Finally, calcination at 500 degrees C for 10 h has been performed using homogeneously distributed Ru3+ ion in carbon slurry to get RuO2NR. The synthesized RuO2NR has been well characterized using FESEM, TEM, PXRD, and XPS analysis. The average aspect ratio of a single RuO2 rod is similar to 4.37. The synthesized RuO2NR has been used extensively as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction. RuO2NR shows cathodic potential of -130 mV vs. RHE to achieve current density of 10 mA/cm(2) during hydrogen evolution reaction. Whereas, for oxygen evolution 1.508 V vs. RHE is required to generate 10 mA/cm(2) current density. Electrochemically active surface area and Tafel slope have been calculated to exhibit better activity of RuO2NR as compared to commercial RuO2. The overall electrocatalysis mechanism has also been discussed in detail.