Crystalline-amorphous interface of mesoporous Ni2P @ FePOxHy for oxygen evolution at high current density in alkaline-anion-exchange-membrane water-electrolyzer

For industrial high-purity hydrogen production, it is essential to develop low-cost, earth-abundant, highly efficient, and stable electrocatalysts which deliver high current density (j) at low overpotential (eta) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report an active mesoporous Ni2P @ FePO(x)Hy pre-electrocatalyst, which delivers high j = 1 A cm(-2) at eta = 360 mV in 1 M KOH with long-term durability (12 days), fulfilling all the desirable commercial criteria for OER. The electrocatalyst shows abundant interfaces between crystalline metal phosphide and amorphous phosphorus-doped metal-oxide, improving charge transfer capability and providing access to rich electroactive sites. Combined with an excellent non-noble metal-based HER catalyst, we achieve commercially required j = 500/1000 mA cm(-2) at 1.65/1.715 V for full water-splitting with excellent stability in highly corrosive alkaline environment (30% KOH). The alkaline-anion-exchange-membrane water-electrolyzer (AAEMWE) fabricated for commercial viability exhibits high j of 1 A cm(-2) at 1.84 V with long-term durability as an economical hydrogen production method, outperforming the state-of-the-art Pt/C-IrO2 catalyst.

Automated summary

Developing low-cost, efficient, and stable electrocatalysts are crucial for industrial high-purity hydrogen production. This study introduces an active pre-electrocatalyst that achieves high current density at low overpotential, meeting the commercial requirements for oxygen evolution reaction. Additionally, by combining with a non-noble metal-based HER catalyst, complete water-splitting is achieved in a highly corrosive alkaline environment, and an economically viable alkaline-anion-exchange-membrane water-electrolyzer is fabricated.