Tip‐Encapsulated FeNi <sub>3</sub> in Wood‐Derived N‐Doped CNTs Arrays for Efficient and Stable AEM Seawater Electrolysis
Zhikai Shi, Zhuohui Niu, Wei Guo, Yunyue Leng, Yan Chen, Hexing Li, Jianlin Huang
Abstract
Abstract While anion exchange membrane seawater electrolysis (AEMSE) is a promising green hydrogen generation technology, its industrial implementation remains hindered by the lack of efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts. Here, an innovative electrocatalyst featuring tip‐encapsulated FeNi 3 alloy nanoparticles within N‐doped carbon nanotubes arrays in situ grown on delignified wood carbon (FeNi 3 ‐NCNTs@DWC), integrating tip effect‐induced electron metal‐support interactions (EMSI) with structural advantages of wood‐based carbon is reported. Theoretical and experimental studies demonstrate that the strong EMSI between FeNi 3 alloys and NCNTs@DWC optimizes the interfacial electron configuration and reduces the reaction barrier, thereby enhancing activity and stability. Notably, the dual Cl − ‐repelling layer formed by the tip effect and Ni(Fe)OOH species inhibits Cl − , while selectively adsorbing OH − . Consequently, when integrated into an AEMSE cell, it delivers impressive industrial‐level performance, achieving a cell voltage of 1.88 V at 2.0 A cm − 2 with over 2000 h durability (decay rate <0.0188 mV h −1 ) in alkaline natural seawater. This corresponds to a 98% electrolysis efficiency, an energy consumption of 49.4 kWh kg −1 H 2 , and a record solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 19.6%. This strategy advances AEMSE toward practical implementation by coupling the tip effect with wood‐derived structural engineering, thereby achieving high activity, selectivity, and long‐term operational stability.