Hydrogen co-production via nickel-gold electrocatalysis of water and formaldehyde
Zhixin Li,
Yan Zhang,
Qianqian Yang,
Jindong Wu,
Zhi Ren,
Fengzhan Si,
Jing Zhao,
Jiean Chen
Affiliations
Zhixin Li
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Yan Zhang
Pingshan Translational Medicine Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
Qianqian Yang
Pingshan Translational Medicine Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
Jindong Wu
Pingshan Translational Medicine Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
Zhi Ren
College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518055, China
Fengzhan Si
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Electrocatalytic Materials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Jing Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Corresponding author
Jiean Chen
Pingshan Translational Medicine Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Hydrogen is one of the most promising future energy sources due to its highly efficient energy storage and carbon-free features. However, the energy input required for a hydrogen production protocol is an essential factor affecting its widespread adoption. Water electrolysis for hydrogen production currently serves a vital role in the industrial field, but the high overpotential of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) dramatically impedes its practical application. The formaldehyde oxidation reaction (FOR) has emerged as a more thermodynamically favorable alternative, and the innovation of compatible electrodes may steer the direction of technological evolution. We have designed Au-Vo-NiO/CC as a catalyst that triggers the electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde, efficiently producing H2 at the ultra-low potential of 0.47 V (vs. RHE) and maintaining long-term stability. Integrated with the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), this bipolar H2 production protocol achieves a nearly 100% Faraday efficiency (FE).
