Oxophilic Ce single atoms-triggered active sites reverse for superior alkaline hydrogen evolution

Abstract The state-of-the-art alkaline hydrogen evolution catalyst of united ruthenium single atoms and small ruthenium nanoparticles has sparked considerable research interest. However, it remains a serious problem that hydrogen evolution primarily proceeds on the less active ruthenium single atoms instead of the more efficient small ruthenium nanoparticles in the catalyst, hence largely falling short of its full activity potential. Here, we report that by combining highly oxophilic cerium single atoms and fully-exposed ruthenium nanoclusters on a nitrogen functionalized carbon support, the alkaline hydrogen evolution centers are facilely reversed to the more active ruthenium nanoclusters driven by the strong…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22072153, 22102185
• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2022YFB3504200
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: E1E40310