Preparation and Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Ru-WN/CC Composite Materials for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Platinum-group metal ruthenium (Ru) is considered an ideal substitute for platinum (Pt) in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its excellent electrocatalytic performance and cost that is 20 times lower than Pt. Herein, we prepared Ru-doped WO 3 nanosheets array on carbon cloth (CC) using the hydrothermal method, followed by successful high-temperature nitridation to obtain Ru-WN/CC nanoarray electrocatalysts. As prepared Ru-doped WN nanosheets exhibit a highly porous structure, providing abundant active sites for HER. Electrochemical performance tests demonstrate that compared to pristine WN/CC, 7% Ru-WN/CC exhibits a reduced overpotential of 94 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm -2 , with a Tafel slope of only 51.4 mV dec -1 and an Rct of 6.08 Ω. Moreover, it maintains high catalytic activity for at least 24 hours under acidic conditions. The superior electrocatalytic activity of Ru-WN/CC is attributed to the significant acceleration of the kinetic rate of WN electrocatalysts by Ru doping, the reduction of electronic transfer resistance in WN, and the enlargement of the electrochemically active surface area of WN. This study provides an important reference for the development of novel low noble metal-doped electrocatalytic materials and has guiding significance for the application of metal nitrides in water splitting for hydrogen production. Graphical Abstract