Strong metal–support interaction boosts the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution capability of Ru nanoparticles supported on titanium nitride
Xin Wang,
Xiaoli Yang,
Guangxian Pei,
Jifa Yang,
Junzhe Liu,
Fengwang Zhao,
Fayi Jin,
Wei Jiang,
Haoxi Ben,
Lixue Zhang
Affiliations
Xin Wang
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy Key Materials and Technologies of Shandong Province Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Xiaoli Yang
State Key Laboratory of Bio‐fibers and Eco‐Textiles Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Guangxian Pei
Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Science Qingdao Shandong China
Jifa Yang
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy Key Materials and Technologies of Shandong Province Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Junzhe Liu
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy Key Materials and Technologies of Shandong Province Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Fengwang Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Bio‐fibers and Eco‐Textiles Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Fayi Jin
State Key Laboratory of Bio‐fibers and Eco‐Textiles Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Wei Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Bio‐fibers and Eco‐Textiles Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Haoxi Ben
State Key Laboratory of Bio‐fibers and Eco‐Textiles Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Lixue Zhang
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy Key Materials and Technologies of Shandong Province Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China
Abstract Ruthenium (Ru) has been regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to substitute Pt for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), owing to its inherent high activity and being the cheapest platinum‐group metal. Herein, based on the idea of strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) regulation, Ru/TiN catalysts with different degrees of TiN overlayer over Ru nanoparticles were fabricated, which were applied to the alkaline electrolytic water. Characterizations reveal that the TiN overlayer would gradually encapsulate the Ru nanoparticles and induce more electron transfer from Ru nanoparticles to TiN support by the Ru–N–Ti bond as the SMSI degree increased. Further study shows that the exposed Ru–TiN interfaces greatly promote the H2 desorption capacity. Thus, the Ru/TiN‐300 with a moderate SMSI degree exhibits excellent HER performance, with an overpotential of 38 mV at 10 mA cm−2. Also, due to the encapsulation role of TiN overlayer on Ru nanoparticles, it displays super long‐term stability with a very slight potential change after 24 h. This study provides a deep insight into the influence of the SMSI effect between Ru and TiN on HER and offers a novel approach for preparing efficient and stable HER electrocatalysts through SMSI engineering.
