Ultrafine Ru nanoparticles stabilized by V8C7/C for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction at all pH.

The Ru-V 8 C 7 /C electrocatalyst has been synthesized by anchoring Ru nanoparticles on the porous V 8 C 7 /C matrix via pyrolysis of metal organic-frameworks V-BDC (BDC: 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), exhibiting excellent HER performance in all pH ranges, especially the high mass activities and long-term stability under neutral conditions. [Display omitted] The development of cost-effective electrocatalysts with high efficiency and long durability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a great challenge in the field of water splitting. Herein, we design an ultrafine and highly dispersed Ru nanoparticles stabilized on porous V 8 C 7 /C matrix via pyrolysis of the metal–organic frameworks V-BDC (BDC: 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate). The obtained Ru-V 8 C 7 /C composite exhibits excellent HER performance in all pH ranges. At the overpotential of 40 mV, its mass activity is about 1.9, 4.1 and 9.4 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C in acidic, neutral and alkaline media, respectively. Meanwhile, Ru-V 8 C 7 /C shows the remarkably high stability in all pH ranges which, in particular, can maintain the current density of 10 mA cm−2 for over 150 h in 1.0 mol L−1 phosphate buffer saline (PBS). This outstanding HER performance can be attributed to the high intrinsic activity of Ru species and their strong interface interactions to the V 8 C 7 /C substrate. The synergistic effect of abundant active sites on the surface and the formed Ru–C–V units at the interface promotes the adsorption of reaction intermediates and the release of active sites, contributing the fast HER kinetics. This work provides a reference for developing versatile and robust HER catalysts by surface and interface regulation for pH tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]