Ru-Ru₂P hetero-cluster promoted V₂CT_x sheets-based electrocatalyst enables industrial-level AEM water electrolysis

Water electrolysis is a remarkably advantageous technology for producing green hydrogen energy to substitute fossil fuels; however, the design of high-performance electrocatalysts with affordable prices and fast reaction kinetics is still a great challenge. Herein, we report well-dispersed ruthenium-ruthenium phosphide hetero clusters stabilized vanadium carbide nanosheets (Ru-Ru2P/V2CTx) as an outstanding catalyst for pH -univer-sal hydrogen evolution reaction. The Ru-Ru2P/V2CTx requires low overpotentials of 37, 21, and 95 mV to reach 10 mA center dot cm- 2 in 0.5 M H2SO4, 1.0 M KOH, and 1.0 M PBS, respectively. Theoretical calculations well manifest the underlying structure-performance relationship of catalyst and mechanism for superb activity. The stack of anion exchange memalbrane water electrolyzer single cell achieves 1.0/2.0 A center dot cm- 2 at 1.80/2.05 V at 60 degrees C, along with exceptional durability over 550 h continuous operation. These findings provide new insights into the develop-ment of efficient catalysts for water electrolyzers, ex. AEMWEs, in practical large-scale green hydrogen production.