Recent Advances in Engineered Ru-Based Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen/Oxygen Conversion Reactions

Abstract

The application of renewable energy conversion devices is considered as one of the effective ways to alleviate the energy shortage and environmental pollution. Designing electrocatalysts with excellent performance and affordable price is promising to accelerate the reaction process and large-scale application. At present, ruthenium (Ru)-based nanomaterials have shown similar catalytic activity but superior price demand compared to commercial Pt/C. This undoubtedly makes Ru-based nanomaterials a perfect candidate to replace advanced Pt catalysts. Significant progress is made in the rational design of Ru-based electrocatalysts, but an in-depth understanding of the engineering strategies and induced effects is still at an early stage. This review summarizes the modification strategies for enhancing the catalytic activity of Ru, including surface structure, metal element, nonmetal element, size, bimetallic oxides, and heterostructure engineering strategies. Then the induced electronic modulation effects generated by the intramolecular and intermolecular of the Ru-based nanomaterials are elucidated. Further, the application progress of engineered Ru-based nanomaterials for hydrogen and oxygen conversion reactions is highlighted, and the correlations of engineering strategies, catalytic activity, and reaction pathways are elaborated. Finally, challenges and prospects are presented for the future development and practical application of Ru-based nanomaterials.