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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
07:50
Hydrogen Charging of Aluminum using Friction in Water
Published on: January 28, 2020
Interfacial water reconfiguration by grain boundaries for accelerated alkaline hydrogen evolution
Weihang Feng1, Le Yang1, Min Gao1
1School of Material Science and Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Southeast University Rd., Nanjing, China. weih@seu.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|July 13, 2026
Summary
A novel ruthenium phosphide catalyst (GB-RuP2/C) enhances alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by optimizing ion-water interactions. This advanced catalyst achieves superior efficiency and stability for energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for hydrogen production via water splitting.
- Alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) faces challenges due to water dissociation kinetics and ion transport.
- Ruthenium phosphides are promising HER electrocatalysts but require structural optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a grain-boundary-rich ruthenium phosphide catalyst (GB-RuP2/C) for enhanced alkaline HER.
- To investigate the mechanism of improved HER activity through disruption of hydrogen-bond networks and K+-H2O enrichment.
- To evaluate the performance and durability of the catalyst in alkaline media.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of grain-boundary-rich GB-RuP2/C catalyst.
- Electrochemical characterization including overpotential measurements at 10 mA cm-2.
- Testing in alkaline anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs).
- Durability testing over extended periods (300 h).
Main Results:
- The GB-RuP2/C catalyst exhibited ultralow overpotentials of 12 mV at 10 mA cm-2.
- Achieved a high current density of 1.0 A cm-2 at a potential of 1.76 V in AEMWEs.
- Demonstrated exceptional long-term stability exceeding 300 hours of operation.
Conclusions:
- The grain-boundary-rich structure of GB-RuP2/C effectively enhances alkaline HER.
- Optimized K+-H2O interactions and disrupted hydrogen-bond networks contribute to superior catalytic activity.
- The catalyst shows significant potential for efficient and durable hydrogen production in alkaline media.
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