Triple Interface Optimization of Ru-based Electrocatalyst with Enhanced Activity and Stability for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

A challenging task is to promote Ru atom economy and simultaneously alleviate Ru dissolution during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process. Herein, Ru nanograins (≈1.7 nm in size) uniformly grown on 1T-MoS₂ lace-decorated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene sheets (Ru@1T-MoS₂-MXene) are successfully synthesized with three types of interfaces (Ru/MoS₂, Ru/MXene, and MoS₂/MXene). It gives high mass activity of 0.79 mA µg_Ru⁻¹ at an overpotential of 100 mV, which is ≈36 times that of Ru NPs. It also has a much smaller Ru dissolution rate (9 ng h⁻¹), accounting for 22% of the rate for Ru NPs. Electrochemical tests, scanning electrochemical microscopy measurements combined with DFT calculations disclose the role of triple interface optimization in improved activity and stability. First, 2D MoS₂ and MXene can well disperse and stabilize Ru grains, giving larger electrochemical active area. Then, Ru/MoS₂ interfaces weakening H^* adsorption energy and Ru/MXene interfaces enhancing electrical conductivity, can efficiently improve the activity. Next, MoS₂/MXene interfaces can protect MXene sheet edges from oxidation and keep 1T-MoS₂ phase stability during the long-term catalytic process. Meanwhile, Ru@1T-MoS₂-MXene also displays superior activity and stability in neutral and alkaline media. This work provides a multiple-interface optimization route to develop high-efficiency and durable pH-universal Ru-based HER electrocatalysts.