Ru/NC heterointerfaces boost energy-efficient production of green H_(2)over a wide pH range

Green hydrogen(H_(2))is an import energy carrier due to the zero-carbon emission in the energy cycle.Nevertheless,green H_(2)production based on electrolyzer and photovoltaics(EZ/PV)remains limited due to the highly pH-dependant and energy exhausting overall water splitting.Herein,we report a series of Ru-nanocluster-modified mesoporous nanospheres(Rux@mONC)as pH-universal electrocatalysts towards both hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and hydrazine oxidation reaction(HzOR).The optimal catalyst Ru_(2)0@mONC realizes remarkable catalytic activity and stability towards both HER and HzOR regardless of electrolytes.As a result,the electrode pair of Ru_(2)0@mONC//Ru_(2)0@mONC requires low cell-potentials of 39/429,405/926,and 164/1,141 mV to achieve the current density of 10/100 mA·cm^(−2),as well as the long-term stability for HzOR assisted electrochemical water splitting in alkaline,acidic,and neutral media,respectively.Those performances are more promising compared to the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts so far reported.A proof-of-concept test demonstrates an efficient production of green H_(2)powered by a single-junction silicon solar cell,which may inspire the use of a cost-effective EZ/PV system.Furthermore,a combined spectroscopic and theoretical study verifies the formation of abundant Ru/NC heterointerfaces in Ru_(2)0@mONC,which not only contributes to the balancing of H*adsorption/desorption in HER but also facilitates the*N_(2)H_(2)dehydrogenation in HzOR.