Insights into the High Activity of Ruthenium Phosphide for the Production of Hydrogen in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

The demand of green hydrogen, that is, the hydrogen produced from water electrolysis, is expected to increase dramatically in coming years. State-of-the-art proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMWE) uses high loadings platinum group metals, such as Pt electrode where produced. Alternative electrodes based on phosphides, sulfides, nitrides, and other low-cost alternatives are under investigation. Herein, a simple process for preparation RuP with activity evolution reaction (HER) acidic electrolyte described. A straightforward one-pot synthesis yields nanoparticles fine-tuned composition stoichiometry presented, determined by multiple characterization techniques, including lab- synchrotron-based experiments theoretical modeling. exhibit 10 mA cm−2 at 36 mV overpotential Tafel slope 30 dec−1, which comparable Pt/C. Moreover, catalyst-coated (CCM) low Ru loading 0.6 mgRu tested PEMWE cell configuration, yielding 1.7 2 V.