Ru-Ru2P hetero-cluster promoted V2CTx sheets-based electrocatalyst enables industrial-level AEM water electrolysis

Water electrolysis is a remarkably advantageous technology for producing green hydrogen energy to substitute fossil fuels; however, the design of high-performance electrocatalysts with affordable prices and fast reaction kinetics is still a great challenge. Herein, we report well-dispersed ruthenium–ruthenium phosphide hetero-clusters stabilized vanadium carbide nanosheets (Ru−Ru2P/V2CTx) as an outstanding catalyst for pH−universal hydrogen evolution reaction. The Ru−Ru2P/V2CTx requires low overpotentials of 37, 21, and 95 mV to reach 10 mA·cm−2 in 0.5 M H2SO4, 1.0 M KOH, and 1.0 M PBS, respectively. Theoretical calculations well manifest the underlying structure–performance relationship of catalyst and mechanism for superb activity. The stack of anion exchange memalbrane water electrolyzer single cell achieves 1.0/2.0 A·cm−2 at 1.80/2.05 V at 60 °C, along with exceptional durability over 550 h continuous operation. These findings provide new insights into the development of efficient catalysts for water electrolyzers, ex. AEMWEs, in practical large-scale green hydrogen production.