Stable hydrogen evolution reaction at high current densities via designing the Ni single atoms and Ru nanoparticles linked by carbon bridges

Rui Yao; Kaian Sun; Kaiyang Zhang; Yun Wu; Yujie Du; Qiang Zhao; Guang Liu; Chen Chen; Yuhan Sun; Jinping Li

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-46553-9

Nature Communications (Mar 2024)

Stable hydrogen evolution reaction at high current densities via designing the Ni single atoms and Ru nanoparticles linked by carbon bridges

Rui Yao,
Kaian Sun,
Kaiyang Zhang,
Yun Wu,
Yujie Du,
Qiang Zhao,
Guang Liu,
Chen Chen,
Yuhan Sun,
Jinping Li

Affiliations

Rui Yao: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Kaian Sun: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University
Kaiyang Zhang: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Yun Wu: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Yujie Du: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Qiang Zhao: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Guang Liu: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology
Chen Chen: Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University
Yuhan Sun: Shanxi Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory
Jinping Li: College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Gas Energy Efficient and Clean Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46553-9
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Continuous and effective hydrogen evolution under high current densities remains a challenge for water electrolysis owing to the rapid performance degradation under continuous large-current operation. In this study, theoretical calculations, operando Raman spectroscopy, and CO stripping experiments confirm that Ru nanocrystals have a high resistance against deactivation because of the synergistic adsorption of OH intermediates (OHad) on the Ru and single atoms. Based on this conceptual model, we design the Ni single atoms modifying ultra-small Ru nanoparticle with defect carbon bridging structure (UP-RuNiSAs/C) via a unique unipolar pulse electrodeposition (UPED) strategy. As a result, the UP-RuNiSAs/C is found capable of running steadily for 100 h at 3 A cm−2, and shows a low overpotential of 9 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 under alkaline conditions. Moreover, the UP-RuNiSAs/C allows an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer to operate stably at 1.95 Vcell for 250 h at 1 A cm−2.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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