Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis
Abstract We report the development of a novel self-organized water (SOW) electrolyzer using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)-treated platinum-titanium (PEO-Pt/Ti) heterostructure electrode, demonstrating exceptional performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hydrophilic materials lik...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98853-9 |
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| author | Adam Gopal Ramu Dongjin Choi |
| author_facet | Adam Gopal Ramu Dongjin Choi |
| author_sort | Adam Gopal Ramu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract We report the development of a novel self-organized water (SOW) electrolyzer using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)-treated platinum-titanium (PEO-Pt/Ti) heterostructure electrode, demonstrating exceptional performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hydrophilic materials like Nafion are critical for forming interfacial water zones with distinct properties compared to bulk water. We investigated the effects of infrared (IR) light on the negatively charged SOW and positively charged protonated water (PW) near Nafion surfaces. Mid-IR irradiation for 13 min significantly expanded the SOW, enhancing its ability to facilitate the dissociation of interfacial water into hydroxide ions (OH⁻) and protons (H⁺), thus driving efficient water splitting. The PEO-Pt/Ti electrode, synergized with optimized SOW, modulates electronic states, increases active surface area, improves conductivity, and lowers activation energy barriers. This enables current densities of 100 mA cm⁻² at 3.1 V and superior H₂ production at 3.5 V, with stable operation exceeding 25 h. These findings highlight the system’s durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By integrating advanced electrode engineering with SOW systems, this work introduces a scalable strategy for sustainable hydrogen production, addressing key challenges in clean energy generation and advancing renewable energy technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dcea98409de847519b24713d01be4e93 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-dcea98409de847519b24713d01be4e932025-08-20T03:14:02ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-98853-9Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysisAdam Gopal Ramu0Dongjin Choi1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik UniversityAbstract We report the development of a novel self-organized water (SOW) electrolyzer using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)-treated platinum-titanium (PEO-Pt/Ti) heterostructure electrode, demonstrating exceptional performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hydrophilic materials like Nafion are critical for forming interfacial water zones with distinct properties compared to bulk water. We investigated the effects of infrared (IR) light on the negatively charged SOW and positively charged protonated water (PW) near Nafion surfaces. Mid-IR irradiation for 13 min significantly expanded the SOW, enhancing its ability to facilitate the dissociation of interfacial water into hydroxide ions (OH⁻) and protons (H⁺), thus driving efficient water splitting. The PEO-Pt/Ti electrode, synergized with optimized SOW, modulates electronic states, increases active surface area, improves conductivity, and lowers activation energy barriers. This enables current densities of 100 mA cm⁻² at 3.1 V and superior H₂ production at 3.5 V, with stable operation exceeding 25 h. These findings highlight the system’s durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By integrating advanced electrode engineering with SOW systems, this work introduces a scalable strategy for sustainable hydrogen production, addressing key challenges in clean energy generation and advancing renewable energy technologies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98853-9Self-organized waterHydrophilicStructured waterCharge separationWater splitting |
| spellingShingle | Adam Gopal Ramu Dongjin Choi Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis Scientific Reports Self-organized water Hydrophilic Structured water Charge separation Water splitting |
| title | Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| title_full | Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| title_fullStr | Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| title_short | Interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| title_sort | interfacial water engineering for enhanced pure water electrolysis |
| topic | Self-organized water Hydrophilic Structured water Charge separation Water splitting |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98853-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT adamgopalramu interfacialwaterengineeringforenhancedpurewaterelectrolysis AT dongjinchoi interfacialwaterengineeringforenhancedpurewaterelectrolysis |