Carbon Oxyanion Self-Transformation on NiFe Oxalates Enables Long-Term Ampere-Level Current Density Seawater...

Seawater electrolysis is an attractive way of making H₂ in coastal areas, and NiFe-based materials are among the top options for alkaline seawater oxidation (ASO). However, ample Cl^- in seawater can severely corrode catalytic sites and lead to limited lifespans. Herein, we report that in situ carbon oxyanion self-transformation (COST) from oxalate to carbonate on a monolithic NiFe oxalate micropillar electrode allows safeguard of high-valence metal reaction sites in ASO. In situ/ex situ studies show that spontaneous, timely, and appropriate COST safeguards active sites against Cl^- attack during ASO even at an ampere-level current density (j). Our NiFe catalyst shows efficient and stable ASO performance, which requires an overpotential as low as 349 mV to attain a j of 1 A cm^-2 . Moreover, the NiFe catalyst with protective surface CO₃ ^2- exhibits a slight activity degradation after 600 h of electrolysis under 1 A cm^-2 in alkaline seawater. This work reports effective catalyst surface design concepts at the level of oxyanion self-transformation, acting as a momentous step toward defending active sites in seawater-to-H₂ conversion systems.