What does this research mean for the field?

Heterogeneous Ni–NiWO4 nanostructures grown in situ on nickel foam act as highly efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction and urea oxidation reaction, enabling high-performance overall urea splitting in both freshwater and seawater. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Develop an active and durable nonprecious bifunctional electrocatalyst to drive the hydrogen evolution reaction and urea oxidation reaction in freshwater and seawater at high current densities.

September 5, 2026ACS Applied Nano Materials

Engineering an Electron-Rich Microenvironment in Ni–NiWO4 Heterostructures as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for H2 Production at High Current Density

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Authors

ZCZhiqing CuiAnhui Normal University HWHao WuChina University of Petroleum, East China MLMingyue LiAnhui Normal University

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates efficient hydrogen production and urea splitting using Ni-NiWO4 heterostructures, highlighting potential for solar-driven seawater electrolysis.

Key Points

Develop an active and durable nonprecious bifunctional electrocatalyst to drive the hydrogen evolution reaction and urea oxidation reaction in freshwater and seawater at high current densities.
Synthesized heterogeneous Ni–NiWO4 nanostructures in situ on porous nickel foam substrates to construct a high-surface-area bifunctional electrode.
Evaluated catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution, urea oxidation, and overall urea splitting in alkaline freshwater and alkaline seawater electrolytes.
Performed density functional theory calculations to examine electronic modulation and intermediate binding affinities across the heterostructure interface.
Achieved hydrogen evolution overpotentials of 26 mV in freshwater and 31 mV in seawater at 10 mA cm⁻², maintaining an overpotential of 265 mV at 1.0 A cm⁻².
Delivered urea oxidation operating potentials of 1.292 V in freshwater and 1.307 V in seawater at 10 mA cm⁻², yielding overall urea splitting cell voltages of 1.366 V and 1.390 V.
Demonstrated continuous operation for 100 h in seawater at 10 mA cm⁻² and sustained solar-powered hydrogen production at over 510 L h⁻¹ m⁻².

Cite This Study

Cui et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd3f16b95aff0620eb3b0 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.6c02277

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates efficient hydrogen production and urea splitting using Ni-NiWO4 heterostructures, highlighting potential for solar-driven seawater electrolysis.

Engineering an Electron-Rich Microenvironment in Ni–NiWO4 Heterostructures as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for H2 Production at High Current Density

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Key Points

Cite This Study

Engineering an Electron-Rich Microenvironment in Ni–NiWO4 Heterostructures as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for H2 Production at High Current Density

Discussion

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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