Hexafluorophosphate additive enables durable seawater oxidation at ampere-level current density

Xun He, Yongchao Yao, Limei Zhang, Hefeng Wang, Hong Tang, Wenlong Jiang, Yuchun Ren, Jue Nan, Yongsong Luo, Tongwei Wu (), Fengming Luo (), Bo Tang () and Xuping Sun ()
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Xun He: Sichuan University
Yongchao Yao: Sichuan University
Limei Zhang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Hefeng Wang: Shandong Normal University
Hong Tang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Wenlong Jiang: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Yuchun Ren: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Jue Nan: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Yongsong Luo: Sichuan University
Tongwei Wu: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Fengming Luo: Sichuan University
Bo Tang: Shandong Normal University
Xuping Sun: Sichuan University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Direct seawater electrolysis at ampere-level current densities, powered by coastal/offshore renewables, is an attractive avenue for sustainable hydrogen production but is undermined by chloride-induced anode degradation. Here we demonstrate the use of hexafluorophosphate (PF₆⁻) as an electrolyte additive to overcome this limitation, achieving prolonged operation for over 5,000 hours at 1 A cm−2 and 2300 hours at 2 A cm−2 using NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) as anode. Together with the experimental findings, PF₆⁻ can intercalate into LDH interlayers and adsorb onto the electrode surface under an applied electric field, blocking Cl⁻ and stabilizing Fe to prevent segregation. The constant-potential molecular dynamics simulations further reveal the accumulation of high surface concentrations of PF6− on the electrode surface that can effectively exclude Cl−, mitigating corrosion. Our work showcases synchronous interlayer and surface engineering by single non-oxygen anion species to enable Cl− rejection and marks a crucial step forward in seawater electrolysis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60413-0

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