Urine electrooxidation for energy-saving hydrogen generation.

ABSTRACT: Urea electrooxidation offers a cost-effective alternative to water oxidation for energy-saving hydrogen production. However, its practical application is limited by expensive urea reactants and sluggish reaction kinetics. Here, we present an efficient urine electrolysis system for hydrogen production, using cost-free urine as feedstock. Our system leverages a discovered Cl-mediated urea oxidation mechanism on Pt catalysts, where adsorbed Cl directly couple with urea to form N-chlorourea intermediates, which are then converted into N₂ via intermolecular N-N coupling. This rapid mediated-oxidation process notably improves the activity and stability of urine electrolysis while avoiding Cl-induced corrosion, enabling over 200 hours of operation at reduced voltages. Accordingly, a no

SUBMITTER: Wang P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11897228 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature