@article{Sun2025, 
author = {Zhuangzhi Sun and Qingfeng Guo and Jia Liu and Haixia Liang and Jirong Bai and Shujiang Ding and Yaqiong Su},
title = {Modulating electronic asymmetry in Ru clusters to boost hydrogen evolution reaction},
year = {2025},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {18},
number = {9},
pages = {94907689},
keywords = {hydrogen evolution reaction, N-doped graphene, electronic asymmetry, Ru clusters},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94907689},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94907689},
abstract = {Advancing sustainable hydrogen production relies on the creation of effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ruthenium (Ru) is a potential alternative to platinum due to its lower cost and high activity, yet its performance in alkaline HER remains limited by sluggish reaction kinetics. Herein, we propose a strategy to modulate electronic asymmetry within Ru clusters by anchoring Ru nanoclusters on N-doped graphene (Ru-NC), optimizing the charge distribution between high-valent Run+ and metallic Ru0 sites. The Ru-NC catalyst, having a Ruⁿ+/Ru0 ratio of 57.1%, demonstrates superior HER activity with an overpotential of merely 29 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 46 mV·dec−1 in 1.0 M KOH, surpassing the performance of Pt/C catalyst. Experimental and structural analyses reveal that the asymmetric electronic configuration facilitates H2O dissociation at Run+ sites and efficient H adsorption/desorption at Ru0 sites, synergistically lowering energy barriers for HER intermediates. Furthermore, Ru-NC demonstrates remarkable stability, retaining its activity after 5000 cycles and operating continuously for 80 h at 100 mA·cm−2 with minimal degradation. This work highlights the pivotal role of electronic asymmetry in enhancing HER kinetics and provides a rational design principle for high-performance Ru-based electrocatalysts.}
}