Revolutionizing Seawater Electrolysis: Enhanced Stability and Efficiency for Sustainable Hydrogen Production
Key Ideas
- Introduction of tungsten into NiFe-based catalysts enhances anode stability and anti-corrosion properties in seawater electrolysis.
- Novel WC-supported W-doped NiFe sulfide electrode shows superior activity and stability in both oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions.
- Wood waste-derived carbon structures play a key role in advancing sustainable green hydrogen production from seawater through circular economy principles.
Seawater electrolysis is positioned as a key strategy for decarbonizing the global energy sector, yet challenges like anode corrosion by chloride ions and high catalyst costs hinder its potential. A collaborative effort by Prof. Hong Chen, Prof. Bing-Jie Ni, and Prof. Zongping Shao resulted in a groundbreaking approach to enhance the stability and efficiency of NiFe-based electrodes in seawater electrolysis. Their research, as published in Science Bulletin, introduces the innovative WC-supported W-doped NiFe sulfide electrode, which exhibits remarkable performance attributes. By incorporating tungsten, the electrode's anti-corrosion properties were significantly improved, leading to enhanced overall efficiency. This electrode's hierarchical porous structure and redox-active centers contribute to its robust electrical conductivity and catalytic efficiency in alkaline seawater conditions. The electrode's prowess in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exceeds that of conventional catalysts, marking a significant advancement in sustainable hydrogen production. Zhijie Chen, the lead author, highlights the electrode's ability to generate anti-corrosive species and catalyze HER efficiently, underscoring its low cost and high effectiveness for seawater electrolysis. Moreover, the study emphasizes the potential of wood waste-derived carbon structures in energy conversion reactions and circular economy practices. By repurposing wood waste into efficient catalysts, this work represents a notable step towards sustainable green hydrogen production from seawater.