Atomic-scale Ru anchored on chromium-shavings as a precursor for a pH-universal hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst

In the leather manufacturing industry, the management of substantial quantities of solid waste containing chrome shavings remains a formidable challenge. Concurrently, there is a pressing need for the development of pH-universal and economically viable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In response to these intertwined challenges, this study proposes an innovative approach wherein the amino groups present on the surface of chrome shavings are utilized to immobilize single ruthenium atoms during pyrolysis, thereby facilitating the synthesis of hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts. The optimized sample, denoted as CN/Cr