Advanced Nanomaterials for Hybrid Water Electrolysis Systems

The field of advanced nanomaterials for hybrid water electrolysis systems is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for more efficient and sustainable hydrogen production methods. Traditional overall water splitting (OWS) systems are significantly hindered by the high thermodynamic potential (1.23 V) and the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which accounts for nearly 90% of the electricity consumption in OWS. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of replacing OER with thermodynamically more favorable organic oxidation reactions, coupled with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), to construct hybrid water electrolysis systems. This approach not only reduces energy consumption but also enables the production of value-added chemicals or the green degradation of pollutants. Despite these advancements, challenges such as high cell voltage, energy consumption, and the risk of explosive H₂/O₂ gas mixtures persist. Additionally, the degradation of ion exchange membranes by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the low value of oxygen gas as a byproduct further complicate the efficiency of traditional OWS.

This Research Topic aims to explore innovative strategies to overcome the limitations of traditional OWS by focusing on the design of advanced electrocatalysts and the integration of alternative oxidation reactions. The primary goal is to achieve low-energy-consumption hydrogen production while enhancing the selectivity and faradic efficiency of anodic reactions. Specific questions to be addressed include the identification of more favorable small molecules for oxidation reactions, the development of single-atom catalysts, and the exploration of new hybrid water electrolysis systems that can be practically applied.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Single-atom catalysts for hybrid water electrolysis systems
- Morphological and structural regulation of nanomaterials for cathodic hydrogen production in hybrid water electrolysis systems
- Anodic electrocatalyst design
- Mechanism exploration using operando characterization techniques
- Practical applications of hybrid water electrolysis systems (e.g., flow cells, asymmetric electrolyte hybrid electrolyzers)
- Exploration of alternative oxidation reactions to replace OER in constructing new hybrid water electrolysis systems
- Other related fields in hybrid water electrolysis systems

By addressing these themes, we aim to advance the field of hybrid water electrolysis systems and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable hydrogen production technologies.

Keywords: Nanomaterials, small molecules oxidation, hybrid water electrolysislow-energy-consumption hydrogen production, green electrosynthesis of chemicals, green electrodegradation of pollutants

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.