Ru-Co Atomic Pairing Sites Promote Alkaline HER Catalytic Mechanism

Major Contributions
 

1.Developed a single-phase electrocatalyst by incorporating single-atom ruthenium into cobalt oxide, resulting in atomic-scale Ru–Co pair sites that significantly enhance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in alkaline media, achieving an ultra-low overpotential and superior mass activity compared to commercial Pt/C and other reported Ru-based electrocatalysts.

2.Demonstrated, through systematic experimental and theoretical investigations, that the unique synergy between Ru and Co atomic pair sites enables efficient water adsorption/dissociation and OH– desorption at Ru sites, while Co sites facilitate optimal H* adsorption and H₂ evolution, collectively accelerating the overall HER kinetics under alkaline conditions.

3.Established the critical role of the Co₃O₄ oxide host in maximizing the intrinsic catalytic activity of single-atom Ru, as evidenced by comparative studies with other transition metal oxide hosts, and showcased the catalyst's high stability and practical applicability in both freshwater and simulated seawater electrolysis for sustainable hydrogen production.

主要貢獻
 

1.成功開發出單相單原子釕摻雜氧化鈷電催化劑，於材料中形成原子尺度的釕–鈷雙協同催化位點，顯著提升鹼性介質下的析氫反應（HER）表現，展現極低過電位及優異質量活性，超越商用Pt/C及其他已報導的釕基電催化劑。

2.透過系統性的實驗與理論計算，證明釕與鈷原子對位點間的獨特協同效應，使釕位點能高效促進水分子吸附/解離及OH–脫附，鈷位點則有利於H*吸附與氫氣釋放，整體加速鹼性條件下的析氫反應動力學。

3.證實Co₃O₄氧化物主體對於單原子釕催化活性的關鍵作用，通過與其他過渡金屬氧化物主體的比較，展現該催化劑在淡水與模擬海水電解中的高穩定性與實際應用潛力，有助於可持續氫能生產。