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Energy-saving hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis coupling tip-enhanced electric field promoted electrocatalytic sulfion oxidation

Author

Listed:
  • Tongtong Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Boran Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yu Cao

    (Tianjin University)

  • Zhexuan Liu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shaogang Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qi Zhang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jie Sun

    (Tianjin University)

  • Guangmin Zhou

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis is significantly hindered by high energy costs and undesirable detrimental chlorine chemistry in seawater. In this work, energy-saving hydrogen production is reported by chlorine-free seawater splitting coupling tip-enhanced electric field promoted electrocatalytic sulfion oxidation reaction. We present a bifunctional needle-like Co3S4 catalyst grown on nickel foam with a unique tip structure that enhances the kinetic rate by improving the current density in the tip region. The assembled hybrid seawater electrolyzer combines thermodynamically favorable sulfion oxidation and cathodic seawater reduction can enable sustainable hydrogen production at a current density of 100 mA cm−2 for up to 504 h. The hybrid seawater electrolyzer has the potential for scale-up industrial implementation of hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis, which is promising to achieve high economic efficiency and environmental remediation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tongtong Li & Boran Wang & Yu Cao & Zhexuan Liu & Shaogang Wang & Qi Zhang & Jie Sun & Guangmin Zhou, 2024. "Energy-saving hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis coupling tip-enhanced electric field promoted electrocatalytic sulfion oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49931-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49931-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Jian Chen & Xin Wang & Chang Sun & Zheng Li & Yangen Zhou & Zhenhua Li & Yumin Qian & Mengran Wang & Simin Li & Yanqing Lai & Shuangyin Wang, 2025. "Surface amorphization enables robust catalyst for industrial-level low-potential electrooxidation reactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Chunyu Zhang & An-Zhen Li & Bo-Jun Yuan & Xiang Liu & Yuanbo Liu & Kejian Kong & Qiujin Shi & Yixuan Zhang & Yiqi Luo & Shengnan Li & Hua Zhou & Haohong Duan, 2025. "Electrochemical valorization of H2S in natural gas to sulfate under mild conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.

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