RuP Nanoparticles Supported on N, O Codoped Porous Hollow Carbon for Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

Highly active and low-cost anodic hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts play a significant role in the large-scale application of anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, a novel anodic HOR electrocatalyst with RuP nanoparticles loaded on N, O codoped porous hollow carbon (RuP/NOC) is prepared. The catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity toward HOR, achieving a kinetic mass activity of 3.25 mA µg –1 PGM at 50 mV, 13 times higher than that of Ru/NOC and even superior to that of Pt/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the transfer of electrons from ruthenium to phosphorus shifts down the d-band center of Ru, weakening the hydroxyl binding energy and decreasing the reaction energy barrier for HOR, thus enhancing the catalytic activity of Ru.