Synthesis of RuNi alloy nanostructures composed of multilayered nanosheets for highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Rational design and synthesis of materials for highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of paramount importance in the development and utilization of renewable energy. Here, RuNi alloy nanostructures (RuNi NSs) composed of multilayered nanosheets are prepared through a one-pot solvothermal process. Impressively, they exhibit a remarkable electrocatalytic HER activity under alkaline conditions with a low overpotential of only 15 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of only 28 mV dec−1, much better than those of commercial Ru/C and Pt/C catalysts. This superior performance could be attributed to their large electrochemically active surface area (154 m2 g−1), and the Ni alloying effect which facilitates the water dissociation and optimizes the hydrogen adsorption and desorption. This work paves the way to the rational design and synthesis of new materials for highly efficient electrocatalysis.