Bi-Functional Iron-Only Electrodes for Efficient Water Splitting with Enhanced Stability through In Situ Electrochemical Regeneration

Scalable and robust electrocatalysts are required for the implementation of water splitting technologies as a globally applicable means of producing affordable renewable hydrogen. It is demonstrated that iron-only electrode materials prove to be active for catalyzing both proton reduction and water oxidation in alkaline electrolyte solution with superior activity to that of previously established bi-functional catalysts containing less abundant elements. The reported bi-functionality of the iron electrodes is reversible upon switching of the applied bias through electrochemical interconversion of catalytic species at the electrode surface. Cycling of the applied bias results in in-situ electrochemical regeneration of the catalytic surfaces and thereby extends the catalyst stability and lifetime of the water electrolyzer. Full water splitting at a current density of I = 10 mA cm(-2) is achieved at a bias of approximate to 2 V, which is stable over at least 3 d (72 one hour switching cycles). Thus, potential-switching is established as a possible strategy of stabilizing electrode materials against degradation in symmetrical water splitting systems.