Nano-sized RuO2 electrocatalyst improves the electrochemical performance for hydrogen oxidation reaction

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-03, Vol.44 (12), p.5940-5947
• Main Authors: He, Ruinan, Xu, Guiyin, Wu, Yanjun, Shi, Ke, Tang, Hong, Ma, Peilan, Zeng, Jianping, Bai, Yunshan, Chen, Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrogen oxidation reaction; Hydrothermal treatment; RuO2 nano particles
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.114

Hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) can be applied to proton exchange membrane fuel cells to generate electrical energy and anode discharge. Due to its special properties, RuO2 has been applied to supercapacitors, phenolic wastewater, textile industry wastewater, and degrading organic substances. However, there is few reports on the application of the RuO2 catalyst to hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). In this study, we successfully obtained RuO2 NPs using a simple and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the electrochemical activity of RuO2 NPs prepared at different concentration (0.15 M, 0.20 M) and different hydrothermal temperature (150 °C, 160 °C, and 170 °C) was evaluated by the hydrogen oxidation reaction. The particle size, composition, dispersion and morphology of the obtained RuO2 catalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, cyclic voltammograms (CV) were utilized to investigate the electrochemical activity of the RuO2 catalysts. The results showed that the obtained catalyst at a hydrothermal temperature of 160 °C and a concentration of 0.15 M displayed a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 26.74 m2 g−1. Meanwhile, the catalyst had a uniform distribution. The hydrogen oxidation current density of the obtained RuO2 catalysts is upto 6 mA cm−2, showing a good electrochemical activity for hydrogen oxidation reaction. [Display omitted] •RuO2 nanoparticles were obtained by a simple hydrothermal method.•RuO2 showed a good electrochemical activity for hydrogen oxidation reaction.•The obtained RuO2 nanoparticles are a promising candidate for fuel cells.