RuP Nanoparticles Supported on N, O Codoped Porous Hollow Carbon for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

Highly active and low-cost anodic hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts play a significant role in the large-scale application of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, a novel anodic HOR electrocatalyst with RuP nanoparticles loaded on N, O codoped porous hollow carbon (RuP/NOC) is prepared. The catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity toward HOR, achieving a kinetic mass activity of 3.25 mA mu g(PGM)(-1) at 50 mV, 13 times higher than that of Ru/NOC and even superior to that of Pt/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the transfer of electrons from ruthenium to phosphorus shifts down the d-band center of Ru, weakening the hydroxyl binding energy and decreasing the reaction energy barrier for HOR, thus enhancing the catalytic activity of Ru.

Automated summary

In this study, a highly active and low-cost anodic HOR electrocatalyst was prepared, which plays a significant role in the large-scale application of AEMFCs. The catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity, achieving a mass activity 13 times higher than that of traditional Ru/NOC catalyst and even superior to that of Pt/C catalyst.