The rational design of high-efficiency and stable hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts under the condition of strong alkali is the key issue for the combination of hydrogen production with low-energy consumption chlor-alkali electrolysis. Herein, ultra-small Ru nanoclusters anchored on WNO nanowires covered by few-layer N-doped carbon (named Ru/WNO@C) were synthesized through a simple pyrolysis method. We demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of such cable-like Ru/WNO@C electrocatalysts by combining experimental and computational techniques. The optimal catalyst Ru/WNO@C (Ru wt% = 3.37%) delivers a record-low overpotential of 2 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², a low Tafel slope of 33 mV dec⁻¹, a high mass activity of 4095.6 mA mg⁻¹ at an overpotential of 50 mV, and long-term durability in 1 M KOH. The superior HER activity of Ru/WNO@C is revealed to be caused by two factors using density functional theory (DFT) calculations: a moderate H adsorption free energy (ΔG_H* = −0.21 eV) and a rather low water dissociation barrier (ΔG_B = 0.27 eV). Specifically, Ru/WNO@C (Ru wt% = 3.37%) shows more remarkable HER performance than industrial low carbon steel under a simulated chlor-alkali electrolyte at 90 °C, making it an efficient cathode candidate applied in chlor-alkali electrolysis. Finally, a homemade ionic membrane electrolyzer with a Ru/WNO@C (Ru wt% = 3.37%) (−)//RuO₂/IrO₂-coated Ti-mesh (+) couple presents a low cell voltage of 2.48 V at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², which is 320 mV lower than the value for the low carbon steel (−)//RuO₂/IrO₂-coated Ti-mesh (+) (2.8 V) couple, exhibiting robust stability for 25 h. This work provides a meaningful reference for the design and fabrication of efficient and stable alkaline HER catalysts, and realizes high-efficiency hydrogen production and low-energy consumption chlor-alkali electrolysis at the same time.

Simple yet efficient design of an outstanding multifunctional electrocatalyst is crucial for advanced energy conversion and storage devices. Herein, we report the synthesis of an N-enriched hierarchically porous carbon electrocatalyst, which demonstrated excellent overall oxygen electrode activity (ΔE = E_OER,10 − E_ORR,1/2 of 0.770 V) and impressive durability in 0.1 M KOH. The activity of our material integrates a high BET surface area (1547.13 m² g⁻¹), accessible N dopant and suitable porous architectures. The material is formed by mixing cicada sloughs with ZnCl₂, as the inorganic pore-fabricating agent, with ball milling followed by annealing treatment. Unexpectedly, the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with excellent production yield (NH₃: 15.7 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹ cat., faradaic efficiency: 1.45%) and selectivity is achieved at −0.2 V vs. RHE under ambient conditions. The present trifunctional catalytic activities are markedly better than leading results reported in recent literature. These results highlight the significance of deliberate structural engineering in the preparation of multifunctional electrocatalysts for versatile electrochemical reactions.

A carbon-coated ultrafine cable-like WC/W₂C heterojunction nanowire electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable HER performance in a wide pH range.

The joint development of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the chlor-alkali industry are proposed clearly for the first time, and the recent progress of HER electrocatalysts and engineering issues in this field have been reviewed.