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Heterointerface-engineered SnO2@CoFe layered double hydroxide interfacial catalysts for efficient water dissociation
Ming Li1, Wancun Huo1, Qi Gao2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Technology and Process Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Separation Membrane Materials, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a SnO2@CoFe layered double hydroxide catalyst to accelerate water dissociation in bipolar membranes (BPMs). This innovation significantly reduces transmembrane voltage and resistance, improving energy conversion efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are crucial for electrochemical energy conversion.
- Their efficiency is often hindered by slow interfacial water dissociation (WD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To design an efficient interfacial catalyst to accelerate WD in BPMs.
- To investigate the role of heterointerface engineering in enhancing BPM performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a heterostructured SnO2@CoFe layered double hydroxide (SnO2@CoFe-LDH) catalyst.
- Anchoring SnO2 nanoparticles onto CoFe-LDH nanosheets to create a robust heterointerface.
- Characterization of the catalyst's structure and electrochemical performance in BPMs.
Main Results:
- The SnO2@CoFe-LDH catalyst significantly accelerated interfacial WD.
- The modified BPM exhibited a low transmembrane voltage (0.75 V at 100 mA cm⁻²).
- Ultralow WD resistance (0.12 Ω) and stable operation (72 h at 50 mA cm⁻²) were achieved.
Conclusions:
- Heterointerface engineering is an effective strategy for developing high-performance BPM interfacial catalysts.
- The SnO2@CoFe-LDH catalyst enhances charge redistribution and water activation.
- Improved BPM performance leads to efficient acid-base generation with low energy consumption.
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