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Photoelectrochemical production of disinfectants from seawater

Author

Listed:
  • Rui-Ting Gao

    (Inner Mongolia University)

  • Zehua Gao

    (Inner Mongolia University)

  • Nhat Truong Nguyen

    (Concordia University)

  • Junxiang Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xianhu Liu

    (Zhengzhou University)

  • Lei Wang

    (Inner Mongolia University)

  • Limin Wu

    (Inner Mongolia University
    Fudan University)

Abstract

Active chlorine, including HClO and ClO−, is one of the most extensively used disinfectants. However, it is mainly produced through energy-consuming three-step chlor-alkali electrolysis of saturated brine using Cl2 gases as intermediates. Here we report a photoelectrochemical synthetic pathway from natural seawater using a chloride-mediated NbClOx/BiVO4 photoanode. The photoanode presents an onset potential of 0.6 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE) and over 500 h of stability in seawater under one sun illumination. The faradaic efficiency and selectivity of hypochlorite are close to 100% at 1.2–1.8 VRHE with a yield of 119.9 ± 9 μmol cm−2 h−1 at 1.72 VRHE. Meanwhile, value-added products of Mg(OH)2 and CaCO3 are obtained on the cathode, accompanied by hydrogen production. Further analyses show that the present process reduces electricity consumption by 77.16% and CO2 emissions by 75.31%. Our findings suggest a strategy with combined safety, efficiency and economic feasibility for direct synthesis of active chlorine from seawater.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui-Ting Gao & Zehua Gao & Nhat Truong Nguyen & Junxiang Chen & Xianhu Liu & Lei Wang & Limin Wu, 2025. "Photoelectrochemical production of disinfectants from seawater," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(6), pages 672-681, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1038_s41893-025-01530-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01530-y
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