Synthesis of one-dimensional RuO2 nanorod for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction: An efficient and stable electrocatalyst

Abstract RuO 2 nanorod (NR), an efficient and stable catalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction is developed via wet-chemical route. Initially, a carbon slurry has been prepared using glucose and urea via heating at 140 °C for 6 h. During the preparation of carbon slurry Ru 3+ salt has been added to disperse homogeneously. Finally, calcination at 500 °C for 10 h has been performed using homogeneously distributed Ru 3+ ion in carbon slurry to get RuO 2 NR. The synthesized RuO 2 NR has been well characterized using FESEM, TEM, PXRD, and XPS analysis. The average aspect ratio of a single RuO 2 rod is ∼4.37. The synthesized RuO 2 NR has been used extensively as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction. RuO 2 NR shows cathodic potential of −130 mV vs. RHE to achieve current density of 10 mA/cm 2 during hydrogen evolution reaction. Whereas, for oxygen evolution 1.508 V vs. RHE is required to generate 10 mA/cm 2 current density. Electrochemically active surface area and Tafel slope have been calculated to exhibit better activity of RuO 2 NR as compared to commercial RuO 2 . The overall electrocatalysis mechanism has also been discussed in detail.