Microwave assisted synthesis of metallic Ru for the HOR and ORR

Metallic ruthenium electrocatalyst with activity for the hydrogen oxidation reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction has been synthesized by microwave irradiation at 180 °C in deionized water as reaction media. Characterization of the material by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy shows a complete decarbonylation of the precursor Ru3(CO)12 with formation of metallic Ru, which is confirmed by the corresponding x-ray diffraction analysis. Evaluation of the material's electrocatalytic properties by the rotating disk electrode technique in 0.5 mol l−1 allows the study of hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction using linear sweep voltammetry, exhibiting that the diffusional processes of H2 and O2 can be improved by modifying the electrocatalytic ink preparation.