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Urine electrooxidation for energy–saving hydrogen generation

Author

Listed:
  • Pengtang Wang

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • Xintong Gao

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • Min Zheng

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • Mietek Jaroniec

    (Kent State University)

  • Yao Zheng

    (The University of Adelaide)

  • Shi–Zhang Qiao

    (The University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Urea electrooxidation offers a cost-effective alternative to water oxidation for energy-saving hydrogen production. However, its practical application is limited by expensive urea reactants and sluggish reaction kinetics. Here, we present an efficient urine electrolysis system for hydrogen production, using cost-free urine as feedstock. Our system leverages a discovered Cl-mediated urea oxidation mechanism on Pt catalysts, where adsorbed Cl directly couple with urea to form N-chlorourea intermediates, which are then converted into N2 via intermolecular N–N coupling. This rapid mediated-oxidation process notably improves the activity and stability of urine electrolysis while avoiding Cl-induced corrosion, enabling over 200 hours of operation at reduced voltages. Accordingly, a notable reduction in the electricity consumption is achieved during urine electrolysis (4.05 kWh Nm−3) at 300 mA cm−2 in practical electrolyser for hydrogen production, outperforming the traditional urea (5.62 kWh Nm−3) and water (4.70–5.00 kWh Nm−3) electrolysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Pengtang Wang & Xintong Gao & Min Zheng & Mietek Jaroniec & Yao Zheng & Shi–Zhang Qiao, 2025. "Urine electrooxidation for energy–saving hydrogen generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57798-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57798-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Wenming Tong & Mark Forster & Fabio Dionigi & Sören Dresp & Roghayeh Sadeghi Erami & Peter Strasser & Alexander J. Cowan & Pau Farràs, 2020. "Electrolysis of low-grade and saline surface water," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(5), pages 367-377, May.
    3. Gunther Glenk & Stefan Reichelstein, 2019. "Economics of converting renewable power to hydrogen," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 216-222, March.
    4. Xintong Gao & Xiaowan Bai & Pengtang Wang & Yan Jiao & Kenneth Davey & Yao Zheng & Shi-Zhang Qiao, 2023. "Boosting urea electrooxidation on oxyanion-engineered nickel sites via inhibited water oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Shi-Kui Geng & Yao Zheng & Shan-Qing Li & Hui Su & Xu Zhao & Jun Hu & Hai-Bo Shu & Mietek Jaroniec & Ping Chen & Qing-Hua Liu & Shi-Zhang Qiao, 2021. "Nickel ferrocyanide as a high-performance urea oxidation electrocatalyst," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 904-912, September.
    6. Abbasi, Tasneem & Abbasi, S.A., 2011. "'Renewable' hydrogen: Prospects and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3034-3040, August.
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