Amorphization-induced electronic structure modulation in Ru/MoO2 for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution

Ru nanoparticles supported on amorphous/crystalline MoO 2 were developed for alkaline HER. • The catalyst exhibits low overpotential and small Tafel slope, indicating fast reaction kinetics. • Interfacial interaction between Ru and MoO 2 promotes water dissociation and hydrogen evolution. • Excellent activity and durability are achieved, outperforming commercial Pt/C. Developing low-cost, readily accessible, and superior-performance electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is essential for realizing a green and low-carbon energy future. Herein, we report a straightforward synthesis of Ru nanoparticles anchored on an oxygen-vacancy-rich amorphous/crystalline MoO 2 heterostructure support (Ru/ac-MoO 2 @NC). Theoretical calculations in conjunction with experimental investigations reveal that, in Ru/MoO 2 , heterointerfacial electronic structure modulation arising from the amorphization of MoO 2 can effectively promote H 2 O adsorption, reduce the kinetic barrier of water dissociation, and regulate hydrogen adsorption/desorption behavior, thereby significantly enhancing the intrinsic kinetics of the HER. The as-fabricated catalyst demonstrates outstanding HER activity in 1 M KOH, requiring an ultralow overpotential of merely 13 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm –2 , along with a low Tafel slope of 12 mV dec –1 , thereby surpassing the performance of the Pt/C. Furthermore, an integrated green hydrogen production device powered by solar energy and dry-cell batteries is demonstrated, highlighting the practical applicability of the developed catalyst. This research establishes a promising paradigm for the rational engineering of robust HER electrocatalysts, paving the way for scalable and sustainable hydrogen generation. The heterointerfacial interaction between Ru nanoparticles and crystalline/amorphous MoO 2 optimizes interfacial electronic redistribution, accelerating water dissociation and hydrogen adsorption/desorption kinetics, thereby enabling outstanding alkaline HER performance. Download: Download high-res image (325KB) Download: Download full-size image