F-doping induced low-barrier interface in RuNi-F-NiMoO₄ heterostructure for efficient urea-assisted hydrogen...

Amidst the escalating global energy crisis, the quest for efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting has become increasingly imperative. Herein, we develop a bifunctional electrocatalyst comprising RuNi alloy nanoparticles anchored on fluorine-doped NiMoO₄ nanorods (RuNi-F-NiMoO₄), engineered for efficient hydrogen production from seawater and urea oxidation reactions. The strategic F doping effectively reduces the difference in work functions and modulates the electronic interactions between the RuNi alloy and the NiMoO₄ substrate, enhancing electron transfer kinetics and significantly improving electrocatalytic activity and stability. Notably, the RuNi-F-NiMoO₄ exhibits outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction performance in both alkaline freshwater (248 mV at 1 A cm^-2) and alkaline seawater (277 mV at 1 A cm^-2), enabling industrial-scale high-current-density hydrogen production and maintaining durability over 1,000 h at 100 mA cm^-2 in alkaline seawater. Furthermore, RuNi-F-NiMoO₄ achieves a current density of 1 A cm^-2 at a low potential of 1.59 V during the urea oxidation reaction, and facilitates a complete urea total cracking system operating at 1.88 V at 1 A cm^-2 in alkaline seawater, thereby reducing energy consumption for hydrogen production. This work offers a promising avenue for the development of efficient electrocatalysts in seawater electrolysis and urea oxidation, potentially advancing sustainable energy technologies.