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The breakthrough of carbon-supported ruthenium catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction: the "dual engines" of design and synthesis

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Zong-Lin
  • Liu, Bing-Chen
  • Fang, Hai-Qin
  • Zhao, Shan
  • Wang, Peng-Fei
  • Yi, Ting-Feng

Abstract

Hydrogen serves as a fundamental element in the pursuit of carbon neutrality, necessitating effective water electrolysis for extensive production. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) encounters significant kinetic challenges. Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts, exhibiting hydrogen adsorption free energy comparable to that of platinum and offering notable cost advantages, present promising alternatives for HER. Nonetheless, the practical implementation faces challenges due to the aggregation of active sites, sluggish kinetics of water dissociation, and concerns regarding stability. The deployment of high-performance catalysts has evolved from focusing solely on optimizing individual active components to adopting a systematic approach that encompasses the co-design of supports, active sites, and synthesis strategies. Carbon-supported Ru catalysts serve as the fundamental element in electrolysis systems, significantly influencing charge transport and reaction kinetics via carrier interface engineering and the modulation of the active site microenvironment. This review focuses on the HER context, offering a detailed examination of design principles and technical pathways for advanced carbon-supported Ru catalysts. This study analyzes the influence of structural innovations and chemical modifications on catalytic performance from a carrier engineering perspective. The analysis focuses on enhancement mechanisms in active site design via particle size control, dispersion optimization, and the construction of alloys and heterostructures. Finally, a comprehensive evaluation summarizes the characteristics and applications of synthesis methods, including wet-chemical approaches, vapor deposition, and templating techniques. This study seeks to expedite the commercialization of carbon-supported Ru-based HER catalysts through multi-scale collaborative design, contributing to the advancement of the green hydrogen economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Zong-Lin & Liu, Bing-Chen & Fang, Hai-Qin & Zhao, Shan & Wang, Peng-Fei & Yi, Ting-Feng, 2026. "The breakthrough of carbon-supported ruthenium catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction: the "dual engines" of design and synthesis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:229:y:2026:i:c:s136403212501295x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.116622
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