High-performance RuO2/CNT paper electrode as cathode for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis.

This study reports on the synthesis and characterization of an effective cathode paper electrode comprising comparatively inexpensive hydrous RuO 2 (h-RuO 2) nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNT) for anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. The concentration of hydrous RuO 2 nanoparticles on the CNT was varied to assess their impact on the electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalytic performance of h-RuO 2 /CNT comprising 22.0 wt% of Ru was evaluated. Promising results were obtained, with a current density of −10 mA/cm2 at only 36 mV of overpotential and a mass activity of −2.41 A/g Ru at 100 mV. Additionally, we conducted first-principles calculations to compare the HER catalytic activities of crystalline RuO 2 and hydrous RuO 2 with varying vacancies and to determine the H 2 O concentration in the structural lattice using free-energy diagrams. The study findings demonstrate that the h-RuO 2 /CNT paper can be used as an efficient electrocatalyst for AEM water electrolysis. [Display omitted] • A highly efficient HER catalyst decorated hydrous RuO 2 (h-RuO 2) nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNT) was prepared. • The paper electrode composed of h-RuO 2 /CNT network structure improved conductivity and achieved excellent HER properties. • This paper electrodes applied to high-efficiency AEM water electrolysis as cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]