Ru-triggered domino effect constructs a local acid-like environment to achieve the ampere-level current density of a/c-Ru-FeP/IF electrode for alkaline HER

Because of the huge energy consumption required to drive the Volmer step, the reaction efficiency of alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is usually 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than that of acidic HER. Therefore, overcoming the weakness of alkaline HER from the perspective of reaction kinetics is the core of electrode design. Density functional theory (DFT) illustrates that Ru dopants trigger the domino effect of electrodes. Ru induces electron redistribution of Fe@a/c-interface, increasing H 2 O adsorption and O-H bonds length. The longer O-H bonds promote the transfer of dissociated H to Ru@a/c-interface, thereby establishing a locally acid-like environment and efficient Volmer-Tafel mechanism in KOH. As expected, the well-designed a/c-Ru-FeP/IF obtains 1 A cm −2 at only 189 mV for alkaline HER. Overall, this work provides a new idea for optimizing the local reaction environment and reaction kinetics in alkaline HER by introducing a single element to trigger the domino effect of the electrode.