Self-assembly synthesis of Ru nanoparticles anchored on B, N co-doping carbon support for hydrogen evolution: Electronic state induced by the strong metal-support interactions. (26th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Xuzhuo; Wu, Baofan; Chen, Jing; Li, Bo; Cao, Cancan; Fan, Liuqing; Fu, Yuying; Deng, Xuefan; Zhang, Haibo
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 48:Number 26(2023)
• Page Start: 9682
• Page End: 9689
• Publication Date: 2023-03-26
• Subjects: Boron cluster-organic framework -- B, N co-doping carbon -- Ru-based catalyst -- The strong metal-support interactions -- Synergistic coupling effect -- Hydrogen evolution reaction; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.12.143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The strong metal-support interactions between metal and its support have been considered as an effective way to improve the electrocatalytic activity in heterogeneous catalysis, which can modulate metal d -band's energy level and, consequently, affect the adsorption/desorption of the intermediates on the metal nanoparticle's surface. In this paper, we use a self-assembly strategy for construction nano-sized Ru nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on B, N co-doping carbon nanorod carrier (Ru/BCN) as HER catalyst by using unique boron cluster-organic framework as precursor and self-sacrificing templates. This supramolecular framework forming with cucurbit [6]uril as the host and closo -[B12 H12 ] 2- as the guest can feature unique hexagonal nanorod morphology to confine the Ru NPs into framework through weak reductivity of closo -[B12 H12 ] 2- . After pyrolysis, the strong metal-support interactions between B, N co-doping carbon support (BCN) and Ru NPs have been found due to the synergistic coupling effect of co-dopants B and N, which can increase electron transfer between the metal nanoparticle and support. The overpotentials of 33 mV and 40 mV are required for as-prepared catalyst Ru/BCN to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm −2 in alkaline and acidic conditions, respectively, which are approximately one third of those of Ru/CN. These findings demonstrate that our synthetic way offers a potential route for fabricating co-doping carbon with B and N atoms to support Ru NPs with enhanced HER performance in pH-independent conditions. Highlights: Ru/BCN was synthesized by a unique boron cluster-organic framework (BOFs). Ru NPs was in situ confined into BOFs through weak reductivity of closo -[B12 H12 ] 2- . The synergistic coupling effect of B and N aids to increase the metal-support interaction. Ru/BCN exhibits excellent catalytic activities in alkaline and acidic solutions.