A restricted dynamic surface self-reconstruction toward high-performance of direct seawater oxidation

Abstract

The development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for direct seawater splitting with bifunctionality for inhibiting anodic oxidation reconstruction and selective oxygen evolution reactions is a major challenge. Herein, we report a direct seawater oxidation electrocatalyst that achieves long-term stability for more than 1000 h at 600 mA/cm²@η₆₀₀ and high selectivity (Faraday efficiency of 100%). This catalyst revolves an amorphous molybdenum oxide layer constructed on the beaded-like cobalt oxide interface by atomic layer deposition technology. As demonstrated, a new restricted dynamic surface self-reconstruction mechanism is induced by the formation a stable reconstructed Co-Mo double hydroxide phase interface layer. The device assembled into a two-electrode flow cell for direct overall seawater electrolysis maintained at 1 A/cm²@1.93 V for 500 h with Faraday efficiency higher than 95%. Hydrogen generation rate reaches 419.4 mL/cm²/h, and the power consumption (4.62 KWh/m³ H₂) is lower than that of pure water (5.0 KWh/m³ H₂) at industrial current density.