Direct seawater electrolysis by adjusting the local reaction environment of a catalyst

Guo, Jiaxin; Zheng, Yao; Hu, Zhenpeng; Zheng, Caiyan; Mao, Jing; Du, Kun; Jaroniec, Mietek; Qiao, Shi Zhang; Ling, Tao

doi:10.1038/s41560-023-01195-x

Cited by 118 publications

(166 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Based on classic acid base theory, hard acid can be preferentially bound to a hard base. Recently, Guo et al [ 102 ] introduced a Lewis acid layer (e.g., Cr 2 O 3 ) on CoO x to dynamically enhance the activity and stability of the cathode for an HER. Using this layer to split H 2 O molecules and capture the generated hydroxyl anion, they could artificially create an alkaline microenvironment.…”

Section: Design Strategies For a Corrosion-resistant Electrodementioning

confidence: 99%

Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis

Zhao

et al. 2023

Materials

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Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen (H2) production has attracted more and more attention in the context of energy shortages. The use of scarce pure water resources, such as electrolyte, not only increases the cost but also makes application difficult on a large scale. Compared to pure water electrolysis, seawater electrolysis is more competitive in terms of both resource acquisition and economic benefits; however, the complex ionic environment in seawater also brings great challenges to seawater electrolysis technology. Specifically, chloride oxidation-related corrosion and the deposition of insoluble solids on the surface of electrodes during seawater electrolysis make a significant difference to electrocatalytic performance. In response to this issue, design strategies have been proposed to improve the stability of electrodes. Herein, basic principles of seawater electrolysis are first discussed. Then, the design strategy for corrosion-resistant electrodes for seawater electrolysis is recommended. Finally, a development direction for seawater electrolysis in the industrialization process is proposed.

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Section: Design Strategies For a Corrosion-resistant Electrodementioning

confidence: 99%

Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis

Zhao

et al. 2023

Materials

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“…Direct electrolysis of seawater that has not been alkalized or acidified remains a major challenge. Fortunately, Ling's group applied the Lewis acid-modified self-supported catalyst (Cr2O3-CoOx) for direct natural seawater electrolysis 111 , and found that the Lewis acid layer could prevent Cl − from approaching the catalyst surface by capturing a large amount of OH − around the electrode, thus effectively inhibiting chlorine corrosion. Moreover, due to the strong binding between OH − and Lewis acid layer, insoluble precipitation caused by Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ cations in seawater are significantly reduced, alleviating the physical blockage of the catalyst.…”

Section: Other Transition Metal Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Self-Supported Transition-Metal-Based Electrocatalysts for Seawater Oxidation

Qian¹,

Qingping²,

Shu³

et al. 2023

Acta Physico Chimica Sinica

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Seawater electrolysis is a promising and sustainable technology for green hydrogen production. However, some disadvantages include sluggish kinetics, competitive chlorine evolution reaction at the anode, chloride ion corrosion, and surface poisoning, which has led to a decline in activity and durability and low oxygen evolution reaction (OER) selectivity of the anodic electrodes. Benefiting from the lower interface resistance, larger active surface, and superior stability, the self-supported nanoarrays have emerged as advanced catalysts compared to conventional powder catalysts. Self-supported catalysts have more advantages than powder catalysts, particularly in practical large-scale hydrogen production applications requiring high current density. During electrolysis, due to the influx of bubbles generated on the electrode surface, the powdered nanomaterial is peeled off easily, resulting in reduced catalytic activity and even frequent replacement of the catalyst. In contrast, self-supported nanoarray possessing strong adhesion between the active species and the substrates ensures good electronic conductivity and high mechanical stability, which is conducive to long-term use and recycling. This minireview summarizes the recent progress of selfsupported transition-metal-based catalysts for seawater oxidation, including (oxy)hydroxides, nitrides, phosphides, and chalcogenides, emphasizing the strategies in response to the corrosion and competitive reactions to ensure high activity and selectivity in OER processes. In general, constructing three-dimensional porous nanostructures with high porosity and roughness can enlarge the surface areas to expose more active sites for oxygen evolution, which is an efficient strategy for improving mass transfer and catalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the Cl − barrier layer on the surface of catalyst, particularly that with both catalytic activity and protection, can effectively inhibit the competitive oxidation and corrosion of Cl − , thereby delivering enhanced catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of the catalysts. Moreover, developing super hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces is a promising strategy to increase the permeability of electrolytes and avoid the accumulation of large amounts of bubbles on the surface of the self-supported electrodes, thus promoting the effective utilization of active sites. Finally, perspectives and suggestions for future research in OER catalysts for seawater electrolysis are provided. In particular, the medium for seawater electrolysis should be transferred from simulated saline water to natural seawater. Considering the challenges faced in natural seawater splitting, in addition to designing and synthesizing self-supported catalysts with high activities, selectivity, and stability, developing simple and low-cost natural seawater pretreatment

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“…Hydrogen (H 2 ) has the advantages of high energy density and clean combustion products, making it an ideal energy carrier to replace fossil fuels. , Water electrolysis is an effective technology for highly pure hydrogen production, − but the availability of freshwater resources limits the large-scale implementation of water electrolysis, particularly in arid regions. − Seawater, accounting for about 96.5% of the water resources around the world, is a sustainable feedstock for water electrolysis. − Nevertheless, the rich chloride ions (Cl – ) in seawater cause the kinetically fast chlorine evolution reaction, resulted in a low Faraday efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and poor stability of the anode. − Consequently, it is imperative to develop efficient and durable OER catalysts to achieve sustainable hydrogen production from seawater electrolysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved Alkaline Seawater Splitting of NiS Nanosheets by Iron Doping

et al. 2023

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Seawater electrolysis driven by renewable electricity is deemed a promising and sustainable strategy for green hydrogen production, but it is still formidably challenging. Here, we report an iron-doped NiS nanosheet array on Ni foam (Fe–NiS/NF) as a high-performance and stable seawater splitting electrocatalyst. Such Fe–NiS/NF catalyst needs overpotentials of only 420 and 270 mV at 1000 mA cm–2 for the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline seawater, respectively. Furthermore, its two-electrode electrolyzer needs a cell voltage of 1.88 V for 1000 mA cm–2 with 50 h of long-term electrochemical durability in alkaline seawater. Additionally, in situ electrochemical Raman and infrared spectroscopy were employed to detect the reconstitution process of NiOOH and the generation of oxygen intermediates under reaction conditions.

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Direct seawater electrolysis by adjusting the local reaction environment of a catalyst

Cited by 118 publications

References 55 publications

Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis

Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis

Recent Advances in Self-Supported Transition-Metal-Based Electrocatalysts for Seawater Oxidation

Improved Alkaline Seawater Splitting of NiS Nanosheets by Iron Doping

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