Energy-Efficient Hydrogen Generation via Peroxide-Mediated Electrocatalytic Pathways.

Hydrogen (H) production through water electrolysis is a promising route for sustainable energy storage. However, conventional water electrolysis faces several challenges, such as large thermodynamic potential gaps and sluggish oxygen evolution kinetics, which lead to high electricity consumption and limitations in H storage and transportation. A promising approach to overcoming these hurdles is hybrid water electrolysis, which integrates alternative, thermodynamically favorable reactions at the anode to enhance efficiency. In this study, we explore how peroxide redox electrocatalysis can address critical barriers in sustainable H production, storage, and transport. By leveraging a cost-effective and highly efficient peroxide redox electrocatalyst, we demonstrate various electrolysis configurations that significantly reduce the required cell voltage-from the standard 1.23 V down to -0.06 V, highlighting its potential for scalable and economically viable electrolysis methodologies for H production.