Bifunctional Ru‐Cluster‐Decorated Co3B−Co(OH)2 Hybrid Catalyst Synergistically Promotes NaBH4 Hydrolysis and Water Splitting

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2023-03, Vol.29 (13), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Li, Huatong, Liu, Zhengqi, Wang, Lixia, Guo, Man, Isimjan, Tayirjan Taylor, Yang, Xiulin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Charge transfer; Chemical reduction; Chemistry; Clusters; Composite structures; Electroless deposition; Electroless plating; hybrid catalyst; Hydrogen; hydrogen evolution; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Hydrogen production; Hydrolysis; Metal foams; Metal hydrides; NaBH4 hydrolysis reaction; Nickel; Ru/Co3B−Co(OH)2; Solute transport; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203207

Developing a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst for hydrolysis of metal hydrides and spontaneous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential for substituting conventional fuels for H2 production. Herein, Ru‐cluster‐modified Co3B−Co(OH)2 supported on nickel foam (Ru/Co3B−Co(OH)2@NF) is constructed by electroless deposition, calcination and chemical reduction. The catalyst exhibits an excellent hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 4989 mL min−1 gcatalyst-1 ${{{\rm g}}_{catalyst}^{-1}}$ and good reusability, superior to most previously reported catalysts. Besides, Ru/Co3B−Co(OH)2@NF displays a prominent hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic capability with a low overpotential of 153.0 mV at 100 mA cm−2 (50.5 mV at 10 mA cm−2), a small Tafel slope of 40.0 mV dec−1 and long‐term stability (100 h@10 mA cm−2) in 1.0 M KOH. The excellent catalytic H2 generation capacity benefits from the rapid charge transfer promoted by metallic Co3B, the synergistic catalytic effect of Co3B−Co(OH)2 and Ru clusters, and the unique composite structure favorable for solute transport and gas emission. Catalytic synergy: A well‐dispersed Ru‐nanocluster‐decorated Co3B−Co(OH)2 hybrid catalyst is constructed by steps of electroless plating, calcination and chemical reduction methods. The resulting catalyst exhibits excellent NaBH4 hydrolysis and electrocatalytic HER activity, which is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of Ru clusters with Co3B−Co(OH)2, and the large surface area exposed more active sites.