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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

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Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
Published on: October 26, 2017
7.9K
Doping Ruthenium into Metal Matrix for Promoted pH-Universal Hydrogen Evolution
Jiqing Jiao1,2,3, Nan-Nan Zhang4, Chao Zhang1,2
1MOE International Joint Laboratory of Materials Microstructure, Institute for New Energy Materials and Low Carbon Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Subsurface doping of ruthenium into cobalt catalysts enhances hydrogen evolution reactions. This subsurface engineering approach optimizes catalyst performance in various electrolytes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Surface active sites of heterogeneous catalysts are well-studied.
- The role of subsurface atoms in catalysis remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of subsurface doping on catalyst performance.
- To develop a surface-engineering strategy for catalyst design.
Main Methods:
- Doping ruthenium (Ru) into the subsurface/surface of a cobalt (Co) matrix.
- Utilizing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a model system.
- Employing experimental and theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- Subsurface Ru doping altered the electronic structure and lattice strain of the Co catalyst surface.
- Optimized hydrogen adsorption energy was observed.
- Achieved low overpotentials for HER: 28 mV (neutral), 28 mV (alkaline), and 45 mV (acidic) at 10 mA cm⁻².
Conclusions:
- Subsurface/surface doping of Ru enhances HER efficiency through improved thermodynamics and kinetics.
- Atomic-level subsurface engineering is an effective strategy for designing advanced catalysts.

