Surface Corrosion-Resistant and Multi-Scenario MoNiP Electrode for Efficient Industrial-Scale Seawater Splitting

Abstract

The construction of efficient and durable multifunctional electrodes for industrial-scale hydrogen production presents a main challenge. Herein, molybdenum-modulated phosphorus-based catalytic electrodes (Mo-NiP@NF) are prepared via mild electroless plating. Heteroatoms doping or heterostructures construction can reconfigure the intrinsic electronic structure of the pre-catalyst and optimizes the key intermediates adsorption. Moreover, the (hypo/meta-)phosphite anions (PO_x^δ−) and molybdate ions (MoO_x^δ−) on the electrode surface of Mo-NiP@NF afford resistance to chloride (Cl⁻) corrosion. Mo-NiP@NF exhibits ultralow overpotentials of 278/550 and 282/590 mV at 1 A cm⁻² during the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) in alkaline simulated and real seawater, respectively, whereas catalytic overall seawater splitting (OWS) reach 1 A cm⁻² at 1.96 and 1.97 V_cell. Remarkably, Mo-NiP@NF maintains stable operation for 1500 h in OWS. The scalability of Mo-NiP@NF allowing the assembly of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer powered by photovoltaic energy, simulating a portable hydrogen-oxygen respirator provides an oxygen/hydrogen flows of 160/320 mL min⁻¹. Expanding further, the trace ruthenium-loaded Mo-NiP@NF catalyst sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) hydrolysis achieving a hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 11049.2 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹. This work provides strategic innovations and optimization solutions for the economical and mild construction of multi-scenario durable green energy conversion materials at industrial-scale application.