Strong‐Proton‐Adsorption Co‐Based Electrocatalysts Achieve Active and Stable Neutral Seawater Splitting

Abstract Direct electrolysis of pH‐neutral seawater to generate hydrogen is an attractive approach for storing renewable energy. However, due to the anodic competition between the chlorine evolution and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), direct seawater splitting suffers from a low current density and limited operating stability. Exploration of catalysts enabling an OER overpotential below the hypochlorite formation overpotential (≈490 mV) is critical to suppress the chloride evolution and facilitate seawater splitting. Here, a proton‐adsorption‐promoting strategy to increase the OER rate is reported, resulting in a promoted and more stable neutral seawater splitting. The best catalysts herein are…

• S
  Shell
• GO
  Government of Ontario
• SG
  Shell Global Solutions International
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 51771132
• FN
  Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg
• UO
  University of Toronto
• NS
  National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center
• QN
  Qatar National Research Fund

  Awards: NPRP12S-, NPRP12S-0131-190024
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada