Activating Interfacial Electron Redistribution in Lattice-Matched Biphasic Ni 3 N-Co 3 N for Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production via Coupled Hydrazine Degradation.
Xiaoli WangHuashuai HuXiaohui YanZhaorui ZhangMinghui YangPublished in: Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) (2024)
The development of high-purity and high-energy-density green hydrogen through water electrolysis holds immense promise, but issues such as electrocatalyst costs and power consumption have hampered its practical application. In this study, we present a promising solution to these challenges through the use of a high-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst for energy-efficient hydrogen production via coupled hydrazine degradation. The biphasic metal nitrides with highly lattice-matched structures are deliberately constructed, forming an enhanced local electric field between the electron-rich Ni 3 N and electron-deficient Co 3 N. Additionally, Mn is introduced as an electric field engine to further activate electron redistribution. Our Mn@Ni 3 N-Co 3 N/NF bifunctional electrocatalyst achieves industrial-grade current densities of 500 mA cm -2 at 0.49 V without degradation, saving at least 53.3 % energy consumption compared to conventional alkaline water electrolysis. This work will stimulate the further development of metal nitride electrocatalysts and also provide new perspectives on low-cost hydrogen production and environmental protection.