Modification of the Electrochemical Surface Oxide Formation and the Hydrogen Oxidation Activity of Ruthenium by Strong Metal Support Interactions

A major hurdle for the wide spread commercialization of proton exchange membrane based fuel cells (PEMFCs) and water electrolyzers are durability high cost noble metal catalysts. Here, alternative support materials might offer advantages, as they can alter properties a catalyst by means strong interaction (SMSI) that has been shown to prevent platinum oxidation suppress oxygen reduction reaction on titanium oxide supported nanoparticles deposited carbon (Pt/TiO x /C). Herein, we report novel Ru/TiO /C according tomographic transmission electron microscopy analysis consists partially encapsulated Ru particles in -composite matrix support. It is cyclic voltammetry X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ruthenium mitigated an SMSI between TiO after reductive heat-treatment (Ru/TiO 400°C,H 2 ). As result, capable oxidizing hydrogen up onset evolution reaction, stark contrast Ru/C reference catalyst. PEMFC-based pump measurements confirmed stabilization (HOR) activity showed ≈3-fold higher HOR compared Ru/C, albeit roughly two orders magnitude less active than Pt/C.