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A triple-defense electrocatalyst for robust seawater oxidation

Author

Listed:
  • Zixiao Li

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences)

  • Jie Liang

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences)

  • Shaohuan Hong

    (Southeast University, MOE Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Yuchun Ren

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Min Zhang

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Shengjun Sun

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Zhengwei Cai

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Chaoxin Yang

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Hefeng Wang

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science)

  • Yongsong Luo

    (Sichuan University, Center for High Altitude Medicine, West China Hospital)

  • Shanhu Liu

    (Henan University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences)

  • Yongchao Yao

    (Sichuan University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Precision Medicine Center, West China Hospital)

  • Feng Gong

    (Southeast University, MOE Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Xuping Sun

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
    Sichuan University, Center for High Altitude Medicine, West China Hospital)

  • Bo Tang

    (Shandong Normal University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
    Laoshan Laboratory)

Abstract

While coastal renewable energy-powered seawater electrolysis is highly promising for green H2 production, the anodic chemical corrosion by aggressive chlorine chemistry and violent bubble release-induced physical damage to anodes are two long-standing issues that lead to inferior stability. Here we pursue integrating triple protection to a monolithic catalyst to concurrently alleviate chlorine chemistry and weaken external forces from bubble escaping/collapsing. The 1st and 2nd defenses are a Co-phosphate (Co-Pi) outer layer closely connected to CoP and well-dispersed nanosized γ-MnO2 in/on Co-Pi, which collectively and preferentially filter out chloride ions approaching the catalytic sites based on their semipermeable natures. The 3rd defense comes from structural features that specialize in lessening the forces of bubble movements on the catalyst. A cage-shaped array composed of tip-connected nanowires with rough surfaces is verified to possess enhanced mechanical stability by theoretical simulations and experiments. This triple-protected electrocatalyst achieves a 3000-h electrolysis lifespan in real seawater during the ampere-level current density operation, demonstrating a multi-defense electrode design with guiding significance for wide applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Zixiao Li & Jie Liang & Shaohuan Hong & Yuchun Ren & Min Zhang & Shengjun Sun & Zhengwei Cai & Chaoxin Yang & Hefeng Wang & Yongsong Luo & Shanhu Liu & Yongchao Yao & Feng Gong & Xuping Sun & Bo Tang, 2025. "A triple-defense electrocatalyst for robust seawater oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65272-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65272-3
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