Stabilizing NiFe sites by high-dispersity of nanosized and anionic Cr species toward durable seawater oxidation

Abstract

Electrocatalytic H2 production from seawater, recognized as a promising technology utilizing offshore renewables, faces challenges from chloride-induced reactions and corrosion. Here, We introduce a catalytic surface where OH– dominates over Cl– in adsorption and activation, which is crucial for O2 production. Our NiFe-based anode, enhanced by nearby Cr sites, achieves low overpotentials and selective alkaline seawater oxidation. It outperforms the RuO2 counterpart in terms of lifespan in scaled-up stacks, maintaining stability for over 2500 h in three-electrode tests. Ex situ/in situ analyses reveal that Cr(III) sites enrich OH–, while Cl– is repelled by Cr(VI) sites, both of which are well-dispersed and close to NiFe, enhancing charge transfer and overall electrode performance. Such multiple effects fundamentally boost the activity, selectively, and chemical stability of the NiFe-based electrode. This development marks a significant advance in creating durable, noble-metal-free electrodes for alkaline seawater electrolysis, highlighting the importance of well-distributed catalytic sites. Developing highly active and stable oxygen evolution electrocatalysts is crucial for enabling large-scale hydrogen production from seawater. Here, authors report a robust O2-producing electrode for alkaline seawater, highlighting the critical role of distributed sites near the catalytic sites.