Ruthenium <scp>single‐atom</scp> modulated <scp>Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub>x</sub> MXene</scp> for efficient alkaline electrocatalytic hydrogen production
Yu Zou, Seyedeh Alieh Kazemi, Ge Shi, Junxian Liu, Yuwei Yang, Nicholas Bedford, Kaicai Fan, Yiming Xu, Huaiqin Fu, Mengyang Dong, Mohammad Al‐Mamun, Yu Lin Zhong, Huajie Yin, Yun Wang, Porun Liu, Huijun Zhao
Abstract
Abstract Single‐atoms (SAs) supported on various substrates have emerged as a new form of electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The exfoliated MXenes possess rich defects/vacancies and surface oxygen groups, can be favorably utilized to anchor SAs. Here, we take advantage of the exfoliated Ti 3 C 2 T x to anchor Ru‐SAs on Ti 3 C 2 T x through a wet‐chemistry impregnation process. The obtained Ru SA @Ti 3 C 2 T x possesses excellent HER activity, especially under high current densities. Remarkably, Ru SA @Ti 3 C 2 T x can readily attain high current densities of 1 and 1.5 A cm −2 at low over potentials of 425.7 and 464.6 mV, respectively, demonstrating its potential for practical applications. The A 1g vibration frequency shift of the Raman spectrum is innovatively used to probe the surface OH coverage on Ti 3 C 2 T x , providing critical information for mechanistic studies. The experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the superior HER electrocatalytic activity of Ru SA @Ti 3 C 2 T x results from the Ru‐SAs enhanced H 2 O adsorption and dissociation, and promoted H 2 formation. image