Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
Ru incorporated into Se vacancy-containing CoSe2 as an efficient electrocatalyst for alkaline hydrogen evolution
Li Liu1,2, Ziyi Yang1,2, Weibo Gao3
1College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China. zjliu@zjut.edu.cn.
This study developed a novel Ruthenium-based electrocatalyst (Ru-VSe-CoSe2) that significantly enhances alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions by engineering selenium vacancies. This catalyst demonstrates superior activity and stability, outperforming commercial platinum catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) are hindered by slow water dissociation.
- Ruthenium (Ru) catalysts show promise for water dissociation but require optimization.
- Vacancy engineering offers a strategy to tune catalyst properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced Ruthenium-based electrocatalyst for efficient alkaline HER.
- To investigate the role of selenium vacancies in enhancing catalytic activity.
- To explore the practical application of the developed catalyst in energy storage devices.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Ru-incorporated Se vacancy-containing CoSe2 (Ru-VSe-CoSe2) electrocatalyst.
- Characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
- Electrochemical evaluation including kinetic isotope effect and cyanide poisoning experiments.
- Fabrication and testing of a Zn-H2O alkaline battery.
Main Results:
- Ru-VSe-CoSe2 demonstrated superior HER activity with a mass activity of 44.2 A mgRu-1, significantly higher than commercial Pt/C (3 A mgRu-1).
- The catalyst required a low overpotential of 29 mV at 10 mA cm-2, outperforming Ru-CoSe2 (75 mV), VSe-CoSe2 (167 mV), CoSe2 (190 mV), and Pt/C (41 mV).
- Selenium vacancies facilitated electron transfer, creating electron-rich Ru sites that optimized H* adsorption.
- The Ru-VSe-CoSe2 cathode catalyst enabled a Zn-H2O alkaline battery with a maximum power density of 4.9 mW cm-2 and stable operation for over 10 hours.
Conclusions:
- Vacancy engineering in CoSe2 is an effective strategy to enhance Ru-based electrocatalysts for alkaline HER.
- The developed Ru-VSe-CoSe2 catalyst offers excellent activity, stability, and potential for practical energy applications.
- The study highlights the synergistic effect between Ru, selenium vacancies, and CoSe2 in optimizing the HER process.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
10:39Heterogeneous Removal of Water-Soluble Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst from Aqueous Media Via Host-Guest Interaction
Published on: August 23, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation...
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Catalysis