Charge-asymmetry RuCo single atom alloy catalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

By incorporating a limited number of precious metal atoms into the base metal, the single-atom alloy catalyst not only optimizes the electronic structure and stability of the catalyst but also emerges as an innovative material that enhances the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic reactions. RuCo single-atom alloy electrocatalyst supported on S, N co-doped carbon nanosheets (RuCo SAA/SNC) uniformly distributed on nitrogen, sulfur co-doped carbon nanosheets was prepared by two-step pyrolysis and carbonization. The incorporation of Ru not only optimizes the atomic utilization of Ru but also enhances the charge conduction properties of the surface Co species, thereby increasing the evolution and migration rates of hydrogen ions. In a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution, the RuCo SAA/SNC catalyst demonstrates a tafel slope of 27.5 mV·dec⁻¹ and an overpotential of merely 43 mV at 10 mA·cm⁻². This work achieves enhanced catalytic performance and stability by precisely regulating the atomic-level structure of single-atom alloy catalysts, thereby promoting their widespread application in energy conversion and green chemistry.