A Low‐Temperature Solid Chemistry to Ru Clusterrene for Scalable Hydrogen Production

R Rui Qin (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University) T Tongshuai Wang (Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China) Z Zhiyong Yu (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Z Zhongliang Huang (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Q Qunyang He (Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen China) H Huiping Peng (Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 398 Ruoshui Road, Suzhou 215123, China) Q Qingyu Kong (Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, 91192 Cedex Gif-sur-yvette, France) J Jihao Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science) S Shu‐Chih Haw (National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Hsinchu Taiwan) Z Zhiwei Hu (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nothnitzer Strasse 40, Dresden 01187, Germany) L Linjuan Zhang (Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology) N Nanjun Chen (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) Q Qing Yao (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) X Xiaoqing Huang (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Platinum‐group‐metal (PGM) nanomaterials are prominent in chemical and energy conversions. To date, their scalable manufacturing is confined by complex post‐processing or high‐temperature calcination (≥ 800°C), which are often required for conventional small‐sized nanoparticles. Herein, we have successfully developed a thermal buffer‐assisted low‐temperature (250°C) calcination strategy to create a sub‐nano Ru metallene called “Ru clusterrene” for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). The rational use of NaCl is pivotal for successful synthesis, serving as a “buffer” to prevent thermal runaway. Consequently, the Ru clusterrene exhibits an ultra‐thin, fluid‐like structure that enables strong interaction with the substrate and ensures maximized active site exposure. Importantly, this strategy costs only US$39.42/g Ru , which is substantially lower than that of commercial Ru/C (Premetek, US$1407.50/g Ru ). The Ru clusterrene delivers an outstanding activity of 1.73 V@2 A cm ‒2 and 2.0 V@5.4 A cm ‒2 , as well as an unprecedented stability for 1000 h at 2 A cm ‒2 (80°C) and 3500 h at 1 A cm ‒2 (50°C). More significantly, it exhibits a high stack performance in AEMWE (3.6 V@1 A cm ‒2 and 2000 h@25 A), representing the most advanced level for AEMWE cathode catalyst.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 22
Published May 25, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

R

Rui Qin

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University

T

Tongshuai Wang

Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China

Z

Zhiyong Yu

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Z

Zhongliang Huang

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Q

Qunyang He

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen China

H

Huiping Peng

Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 398 Ruoshui Road, Suzhou 215123, China

Q

Qingyu Kong

Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, 91192 Cedex Gif-sur-yvette, France

J

Jihao Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science

S

Shu‐Chih Haw

National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Hsinchu Taiwan

Z

Zhiwei Hu

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nothnitzer Strasse 40, Dresden 01187, Germany

L

Linjuan Zhang

Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology

N

Nanjun Chen

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Q

Qing Yao

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

X

Xiaoqing Huang

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering