Two-dimensional lamellar TiO2 surface-loaded RuCo nanoclusters for pH-universal electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.07.044

Abstract

Abstract: The development of cost-effective, efficient, and corrosion-resistant electrocatalysts is crucial for industrial hydrogen production under universal pH conditions. In this study, RuCo nanoclusters were deposited onto Ti₃C₂T_x MXene using an impregnation method and subsequently annealed in a mildly oxidative atmosphere, leading to the formation of anatase TiO₂ with retained 2D morphology. This transformation significantly improved the material’s oxidation and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the spatial confinement effect of MXene ensured the uniform dispersion of RuCo nanoparticles on the catalyst surface after annealing, thereby exposing abundant active sites. The catalyst delivers low hydrogen evolution overpotentials of 44 mV in 1 M KOH and 50 mV in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2. Characterization and theoretical calculations indicate that Co doping donates additional electrons to Ru, stabilizing its low-valence state and thus improving the overall structural stability. This localized charge transfer further tunes the D-band center of Ru sites, promoting optimal interactions with reaction intermediates. As a result, it lowers the energy barrier and enhances the catalytic activity.

Key words: Lamellar TiO₂, pH -universal, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Metal-support interactions, First-principles calculations

Enhao Liu, Xiaochun Wang, Jinzhou Li, Chao Chen, Qian Li, Xuewei Lv, Jie Dang. Two-dimensional lamellar TiO₂ surface-loaded RuCo nanoclusters for pH-universal electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 254: 71-80.

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Two-dimensional lamellar TiO₂ surface-loaded RuCo nanoclusters for pH-universal electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

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