Engineering active and robust alloy-based electrocatalyst by rapid Joule-heating toward ampere-level hydrogen...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Bimetallic alloys enhance electrocatalyst performance for hydrogen evolution.
• Synthesizing Mo-based alloys faces challenges due to differing reduction potentials and nucleation control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid Joule heating method for synthesizing RuMo alloy electrocatalysts.
• To investigate the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the synthesized catalyst for hydrogen evolution.

Main Methods:

• Rapid Joule heating synthesis of RuMo alloy on MoOx matrix.
• Electrocatalytic performance testing in KOH, PBS, and H2SO4 solutions.
• First-principle simulations and operando measurements for mechanistic investigation.

Main Results:

• The RuMo alloy catalyst on MoOx matrix shows excellent stability (2000 h at 1000 mA cm⁻²).
• Achieved ultralow overpotentials of 9 mV, 18 mV, and 15 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in different electrolytes.
• Demonstrated high electrocatalytic activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reaction.

Conclusions:

• Rapid Joule heating is a feasible strategy for constructing highly efficient alloy-based electrocatalysts.
• The developed RuMo alloy catalyst offers superior performance for hydrogen evolution.
• The study highlights the effectiveness of rapid Joule heating in overcoming synthesis challenges.