Ultrathin Ru–Ni nanounits as hydrogen oxidation catalysts with an alkaline electrolyte. Issue 40 (26th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yuanjun; Zuo, Longkun; Zhou, Zhihang; Zhang, Junhao; Kang, Ziliang; Zhu, Jun; Zhu, Guoxing
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 51:Issue 40(2022)
• Page Start: 15467
• Page End: 15474
• Publication Date: 2022-09-26
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d2dt02373c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : Ultrathin RuNi nanounits were synthesized, which show excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation in alkaline solution. Abstract : The development of hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells with an alkaline electrolyte was highly limited by the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Here, with a pyrolysis-reduction route, a new RuNi-based electrocatalyst was prepared, which presents an ultrathin nanowire-like structure. In alkaline media, this catalyst shows an excellent catalytic performance with an exchange current density of 1.10 mA cm −2 disk for hydrogen oxidation. The exchange current density and mass activity of this catalyst are much higher than those of its single-metal counterparts and even the commercial Pt/C catalyst containing 20% Pt. Such a remarkable catalytic activity can be explained by the interaction between Ru and Ni; the incorporation of Ni may induce an electronic effect on the optimization of the Ru–Had strength and provide a functional surface that can absorb OH species, thus boosting the catalytic activity. These findings may cast a new light on the exploration of low-cost but high-efficiency catalysts for fuel cells.