Phosphorus-Rich Ruthenium Phosphide Embedded on a 3D Porous Dual-Doped Graphitic Carbon for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Metal phosphides have recently emerged as promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we report the synthesis of ruthenium diphosphide embedded on a dual-doped graphitic carbon by pyrolyzing chitosan beads impregnated with ruthenium chloride and phosphorus pentoxide. The as-synthesized RuP2@N-P-C displays a good electrocatalytic activity in acidic, neutral and alkaline media. We show that the HER activity of the electrocatalyst can be tuned by varying the concentration of Li+ cations. Co-diffusion effects on H+ exerted by Li+ on HER in the porous carbon matrix have been observed.

Keywords

• ruthenium electrocatalysts
• metal phosphides
• ruthenium diphosphide
• dual-doped graphitic carbon
• hydrogen evolution reaction