Researchers have developed novel boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes with electrochemically deposited bimetallic sulfides to improve hydrogen and oxygen production efficiencies during alkaline seawater electrolysis.
The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing urgency for clean energy solutions have propelled the interest in hydrogen as a sustainable alternative. Hydrogen production through seawater electrolysis is particularly appealing due to its environmentally friendly nature and the abundant resource of seawater. A recent study published on January 13, 2025, explores the innovative use of BDD electrodes, demonstrating their superior performance compared to traditional metal substrates.
The challenge of corrosion with metal electrodes has been addressed by employing BDD, which possesses excellent resistance attributes. The research team focused on creating CoFeS/Ni/BDD electrodes with promising bifunctional catalytic properties for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER).
According to the findings, increasing the concentration of potassium hydroxide (KOH) resulted in lower overpotentials for both HER and OER processes. Specifically, the OER and HER overpotentials decreased as the KOH concentration increased, making the electrodes' performance more efficient.
“By increasing the KOH concentration, the OER and HER overpotentials of the electrode significantly decreased,” noted the authors of the article.
Utilizing electrochemical deposition techniques, researchers applied a two-step process: first, electroplated nickel onto the BDD surface followed by cobalt-iron sulfide deposition. This innovative method not only enhanced the adhesion of catalysts to the substrate but also improved the overall electrochemical properties.
The optimal conditions identified for the CoFeS/Ni/BDD electrode fabrication included 15 deposition cycles at a sweep rate of 5 mV/s—markedly improving its electrocatalytic performance. The results indicated the potential of the CoFeS/Ni/BDD electrode to achieve HER and OER overpotentials of 360 mV and 425 mV, respectively, at current densities of 100 mA/cm2.
This study paves the way for using BDD electrodes not only for electrolysis but also for broader applications, including wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring. Researchers aim to explore the feasibility and scalability of this approach for practical clean energy applications.
By reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels and enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy production, the development of these BDD electrodes signifies progress toward sustainable energy solutions.
Future research will focus on optimizing the electrode materials and exploring new applications for BDD technology to address global energy challenges.