A ruthenium-based catalyst on carbon electrodes for electrochemical water splitting

Electrochemical water splitting constitutes one of the most promising strategies for converting water into hydrogen-based fuels, and this technology is predicted to play a key role in our transition towards a carbon-neutral energy economy. To enable the design of cost-effective electrolysis cells based on this technology, new and more efficient anodes with augmented water splitting activity and stability will be required. Herein, we report an active molecular Ru-based catalyst for electrochemically-driven water oxidation and two simple methods for preparing anodes by attaching this catalyst onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The anodes modified with the molecular catalyst were characterized by a broad toolbox of microscopy and spectroscope techniques, and interestingly no RuO2 formation was detected during electrocatalysis over 4 h. These results demonstrate that the herein presented strategy can be used to prepare anodes that rival the performance of state-of-the-art metal oxide anodes.