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In situ ammonium formation mediates efficient hydrogen production from natural seawater splitting

Author

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  • Xiao-Long Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Peng-Cheng Yu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Shu-Ping Sun

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Lei Shi

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Peng-Peng Yang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhi-Zheng Wu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Li-Ping Chi

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Ya-Rong Zheng

    (Hefei University of Technology)

  • Min-Rui Gao

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Seawater electrolysis using renewable electricity offers an attractive route to sustainable hydrogen production, but the sluggish electrode kinetics and poor durability are two major challenges. We report a molybdenum nitride (Mo2N) catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction with activity comparable to commercial platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst in natural seawater. The catalyst operates more than 1000 hours of continuous testing at 100 mA cm−2 without degradation, whereas massive precipitate (mainly magnesium hydroxide) forms on the Pt/C counterpart after 36 hours of operation at 10 mA cm−2. Our investigation reveals that ammonium groups generate in situ at the catalyst surface, which not only improve the connectivity of hydrogen-bond networks but also suppress the local pH increase, enabling the enhanced performances. Moreover, a zero-gap membrane flow electrolyser assembled by this catalyst exhibits a current density of 1 A cm−2 at 1.87 V and 60 oC in simulated seawater and runs steadily over 900 hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao-Long Zhang & Peng-Cheng Yu & Shu-Ping Sun & Lei Shi & Peng-Peng Yang & Zhi-Zheng Wu & Li-Ping Chi & Ya-Rong Zheng & Min-Rui Gao, 2024. "In situ ammonium formation mediates efficient hydrogen production from natural seawater splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53724-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53724-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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