Ru Single-Atom Nanoarchitectonics on Co-Based Conducting Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The development of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is essential for the production of green hydrogen from water electrolysis, but it is challenging. Herein, ruthenium (Ru) single-atom-modified Co-HHTP (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene) (Ru@Co-HHTP) was prepared via a solvothermal and ion exchange method. Systematic experiments highlight that the atomically dispersed Ru can optimize the electronic structure and electronic conductivity of Co-HHTP. As a result, the obtained Ru@Co-HHTP shows a low overpotential of 247 mV at 100 mA cm–2, a small Tafel slope of 38.14 mV dec–1, and good stability, which are superior to those of Co-HHTP, commercial IrO2, and most previously reported catalysts. This work provides a new avenue for designing highly efficient elongated OER electrocatalysts.