Oxalate metal–organic framework derived atomic Ru 3+-doped Co(OH) 2nanosheets are fabricated for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction, showing a very small overpotential of 36 mV at 30 mA cm −2in 1.0 M KOH.
Atomic Ru-doped cobalt hydroxides (Ru-Co(OH) 2) are prepared from atomic Ru-doped oxalate metal–organic frameworks. There is a strong electronic interaction between Co and Ru atoms. In addition, the incorporation of Ru 3+favors the formation of well-defined two-dimensional nanosheets and thus greatly increased the electrochemically active surface area of the catalyst. The as-prepared Ru-Co(OH) 2with a Ru mass loading of 5.1 wt% exhibits the highest intrinsic activity and the best catalytic performance towards the hydrogen evolution reaction, showing a very small overpotential of 36 mV at 30 mA cm −2in 1.0 M KOH, which surpasses that of the Pt/C catalyst.