RuP2‐Based Catalysts with Platinum‐like Activity and Higher Durability for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at All pH Values

Abstract Highly active, stable, and cheap Pt‐free catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are under increasing demand for future energy conversion systems. However, developing HER electrocatalysts with Pt‐like activity that can function at all pH values still remains as a great challenge. Herein, based on our theoretical predictions, we design and synthesize a novel N,P dual‐doped carbon‐encapsulated ruthenium diphosphide (RuP 2 @NPC) nanoparticle electrocatalyst for HER. Electrochemical tests reveal that, compared with the Pt/C catalyst, RuP 2 @NPC not only has Pt‐like HER activity with small overpotentials at 10 mA cm −2 (38 mV in 0.5 m H 2 SO 4 , 57 mV in 1.0 m PBS and 52 mV in 1.0 m KOH), but demonstrates superior stability at all pH values, as well as 100 % Faradaic yields. Therefore, this work adds to the growing family of transition‐metal phosphides/heteroatom‐doped carbon heterostructures with advanced performance in HER.