Inner Co Synergizing Outer Ru Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient pH-Universal Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis

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Abstract
Exploring highly active but inexpensive electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of critical importance for hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting. Herein, we report a multicomponent catalyst with exceptional activity and durability for HER, in which cobalt nanoparticles were in-situ confined inside bamboo-like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) while ultralow ruthenium loading (~ 2.6 µg per electrode area ~ cm−2) is uniformly deposited on their exterior walls (Co@CNTsǀRu). The atomic-scale structural investigations and theoretical calculations indicate that the confined inner Co and loaded outer Ru would induce charge redistribution and a synergistic electron coupling, not only optimizing the adsorption energy of H intermediates (ΔGH*) but also facilitating the electron/mass transfer. The as-developed Co@CNTsǀRu composite catalyst requires overpotentials of only 10, 32, and 63 mV to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline, acidic and neutral media, respectively, representing top-level catalytic activity among all reported HER catalysts. The current work may open a new insight into the rational design of carbon-supported metal catalysts for practical applications.
Funding Information
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University

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