3D network Ni-based electrocatalysts with interfacial active sites of Ru QDs and Ni(OH)2 for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction under large current density in alkaline environment

The electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen is a kind of technique with bright prospect, the development of which is restricted by the weak performance of catalysts under high current density. Herein, with our unremitting efforts, the efficient self-supporting catalysts with three-dimensional (3D) network structure of Ru quantum dots (QDs) anchored between Nickel hydroxide interlayers are in situ synthesized by one simple step. The strong hydrophilicity of hydroxyl compounds and high conductivity of Ru QDs are both beneficial to the better efficiency of catalysts towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalysts (RuOX(0.24%)–Ni(OH)2 /NF) take advantage of the synergistic effect of bifunctional active sites between the Ru QDs and Ni(OH)2 nanosheets, hence showing excellent catalytic performance, which exhibit the remarkably low HER overpotential of 27.1 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 14.26 mV dec−1 and long-term stability in alkaline electrolyte. The overpotential is just 105.1 mV even under 300 mA cm−2, demonstrating the excellent performance, which is better than most noble and non-noble metal-based catalysts and shows high application potential.