Integrating Multiple Strategies Using Biotechnology to Design High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution

Combining multiple design strategies often enhances catalyst performance but usually comes with high costs and low reproducibility. A technique that enhances catalyst performance in multiple strategies is urgently needed. Herein, a novel bioregulation technique is introduced, allowing simultaneous control over morphology, particle size, doping, interface engineering, and electronic properties. Bioregulation technique utilizes the soluble extracellular polymer from Aspergillus niger as a templating agent to construct high-performance catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER and OER). This technique controls catalyst morphology, introduces biological N and S doping, and regulates the electronic structure of the catalyst surface. Biomolecule modification enhances surface hydrophilicity, and the nanostructure increases surface roughness and gas-release efficiency. Theoretical calculations show that the bioregulation technique shortens the d/p-band center, optimizing reaction intermediate adsorption and desorption. The Bio-Pt/Co₃O₄ catalyst with trace Pt on the surface, designed with these strategies, achieves HER (η₁₀ of 42 mV), OER (η₁₀ of 221 mV), and overall water-splitting performance (1.51 V at 10 mA cm⁻²), maintaining stability for over 50 h, outperforming most Pt-based catalysts. Notably, using spent lithium-ion battery cathodes leachate, rich in Co²⁺, successfully replicates the experiment. This approach holds promise as a mainstream method for synthesizing high-performance materials in the future.