Ni and C co-doping synergistically modulates the electronic distribution of MoO2 to achieve efficient hydrogen evolution in alkaline seawater

Efficient seawater hydrogen evolution requires catalysts with high inherent activity and abundant active sites to overcome slow water dissociation and structural instability. Here, co-doping with Ni and C works synergistically to regulate electron redistribution and optimize the active sites. Supported on nickel foam, the Ni, C-MoO 2 catalyst displays outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the HER in alkaline seawater. The Ni, C-MoO 2 catalyst demonstrates exceptional HER performance in alkaline seawater, achieving an overpotential of 20 mV at 10 mA cm⁻ 2 and stability exceeding 1000 h. When paired with a Fe-MoO 2 anode, the Ni, C-MoO 2 cathode reached a cell voltage of 1.53 V at 10 mA cm⁻ 2 for overall water electrolysis. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses indicate that Ni and C co-doping synergistically modulates the electronic structure of MoO 2 . In this process, Ni acts as a structural activation site to drive water dissociation, while C serves as an electronic regulator to promote charge transfer. By collaboratively modulating the electronic structure of the Mo active center, they optimize the adsorption strength of hydrogen intermediates and lower the water dissociation energy barrier, thereby achieving efficient hydrogen evolution kinetics. This work offers a novel co-doping strategy and insights for scalable seawater electrolysis catalysts.