Biomimetic Non‐Coplanar Multilayer Defense Architecture Achieves High Current Density Chloride‐Resistant Seawater Oxidation
Abstract Rational design of highly active and Cl − ‐tolerant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical to enabling practical seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production. Herein, a novel MCF‐LDH catalyst with a biomimetic ‘Clam‐Shield’ multilevel defense system is synthesized via hydrothermal and in situ redox methods. The innovative z ‐axis non‐coplanar architecture of functional layers enables synergistic chloride resistance via physical blocking (MnO 2 barrier) and electrostatic repulsion (CO 3 2− interlayers). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate that the MnO 2 modulates the d ‐band center of CoFe‐LDH, while the catalyst exhibits a pronounced thermodynamic preference for OH − adsorption (−1.89 eV) over Cl − (−0.35 eV), thereby stabilizing critical reaction intermediates. Furthermore, the density of states (DOS) analysis of MCF‐LDH reveals enhanced continuity of Fe‐3 d and Co‐3 d orbitals near the Fermi energy ( E f ), indicating improved electronic conductivity. This ‘axial dislocation‐functional synergy’ strategy endows MCF‐LDH with exceptional electrocatalytic performance, delivering low overpotentials of 277 and 304 mV at 300 and 500 mA cm −2 , respectively. Moreover, the MCF‐LDH catalyst presents outstanding long‐term stability, retaining 99.4% and 97.8% of its initial activity after 600 h at high current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm −2 in alkaline seawater electrolyte. This study provides a promising design strategy for chloride‐resistant OER electrocatalysts.
Authors
- Fengjiao Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1826-6504)
- Haiyan Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0026-3025)
- Hongyu Mi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4428-5269)
- Jinke Shen
- Liming Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4278-0685)
- Shuo Yan
Institutions
- Tongji University (CN)
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (PT)
- Xinjiang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Published
- 2025-09-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202503465
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.42