Synergetic Function of the Single-Atom Ru–N₄ Site and Ru Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Production in a Wide pH Range and Seawater Electrolysis

Hydrogen production by water splitting and seawater electrolysis is a promising alternative to develop clean hydrogen energy. The construction of high-efficiency and durable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in a wide pH range and seawater is critical to overcoming the sluggish kinetic process. Herein, we develop an efficient catalytic material composed of a single-atom Ru–N4 site and Ru nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon (Ru1+NPs/N–C) through the coordination-pyrolysis strategy of the melamine formaldehyde resin. The Ru1+NPs/N–C catalyst shows outstanding HER activity with the smallest overpotentials, the lowest Tafel slopes, the highest mass activity and turnover frequency, as well as excellent stability in both acidic and alkaline media. Moreover, Ru1+NPs/N–C shows comparable hydrogen production performance and a higher faradic efficiency to 20% Pt/C in natural seawater and artificial simulated seawater. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the strong synergistic effects between the Ru–N4 site and Ru nanoparticles modify the electronic structure to accelerate the HER kinetics. Ru nanoparticles can effectively realize dissociation of H2O to generate adsorbed hydrogen and also promote the single-atom Ru–N4 site to combine adsorbed hydrogen to H2 and desorption. This work provides a new perspective for designing high-efficiency hydrogen production electrocatalysts for large-scale seawater electrolysis.