Work

Bifunctional surface-distributed RuO2 on NiFe double layer hydroxide for efficient alkaline water splitting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Designing highly active and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical but remains challenging. In this study, we present a surface-distributed ruthenium oxide stabilized on nickel‑iron layered double hydroxide (A-RuNiFe/Ni foam), serving as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting. X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis reveals that RuO 2 deposition alters the electronic structure of both Ni and Fe within the nickel‑iron layered double hydroxide, promoting electron transfer from Fe to Ni. The as-prepared A-RuNiFe/Ni foam electrode exhibits remarkable electrochemical activity in 1 M KOH, with overpotentials of 218 mV and 14 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 for OER and HER, respectively. In overall water splitting evaluations, the A-RuNiFe/Ni foam requires only a low cell voltage of 1.88 V to achieve 1 A cm −2 . It can operate continuously for 360 h with negligible activity degradation at high current densities (0.5 A cm −2 for 100 h, 1 A cm −2 for 100 h, and 2 A cm −2 for 160 h), indicating a robust performance for alkaline water splitting.

Source: Chemical Engineering Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.165999