Urine electrooxidation for energy–saving hydrogen generation

Pengtang Wang, Xintong Gao, Min Zheng, Mietek Jaroniec, Yao Zheng () and Shi–Zhang Qiao ()
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Pengtang Wang: The University of Adelaide
Xintong Gao: The University of Adelaide
Min Zheng: The University of Adelaide
Mietek Jaroniec: Kent State University
Yao Zheng: The University of Adelaide
Shi–Zhang Qiao: The University of Adelaide

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: 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 notable reduction in the electricity consumption is achieved during urine electrolysis (4.05 kWh Nm−3) at 300 mA cm−2 in practical electrolyser for hydrogen production, outperforming the traditional urea (5.62 kWh Nm−3) and water (4.70–5.00 kWh Nm−3) electrolysis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57798-3

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