Spatial double-shelled structure achieving stable anion exchange membrane water electrolysis via enhanced local...

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) represents a promising technology for green hydrogen production. Although numerous efforts have been devoted to optimize the anode catalysis by structural and chemical modulation, the effectiveness of such strategies in enhancing stability remains limited. Herein, we propose a cerium-induced double-shelled structure formation strategy that modulates the electrode/electrolyte interfacial microenvironment through spatial configuration engineering, effectively suppressing anodic corrosion. Mechanistic studies revealed that the associated nanospace enrichment effect increased the coverage of surface hydroxide ion (OH^-) species, thereby enhancing the local alkalinity at the material surface and effectively suppressing ion leaching. The double-shelled cerium dioxide (CeO₂)/lanthanum cobaltite (LaCoO₃)-10% catalyst demonstrated outstanding performance in the AEMWE device, achieving an industrial-relevant current density of 3 amperes per square centimeter at 1.88 volts. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibited exceptional long-term stability exceeding 2000 hours under simulated industrial conditions. Our findings underscore the importance of engineering the physical spatial configuration to regulate the interfacial microenvironment, offering a strategy to address the corrosion degradation of anode catalysts.