Stabilizing efficient structures of superwetting electrocatalysts for enhanced urea oxidation reactions

Layered hydroxides have shown superior catalytic activity for the electrocatalytic organic compound oxidation reaction. However, metal leaching can lead to uncontrollable structural phase transformation. Here, we report a Cr-Ni(OH) 2 electrocatalyst as model of pre-catalyst identification structure-performance relationship. The optimized delivered superb performances, i.e., low potential 1.38 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode [RHE]) reach 100 mA cm −2 and stable over 200 h at 10 . In situ analyses theoretical calculations demonstrate that well-tuned electronic structures superhydrophilic-superaerophobic surface enable rapid urea reaction (UOR) kinetics, which reduces specific adsorption OH − significantly depresses Cr dopants leaching, this helps maintain high UOR performance. Furthermore, crucial role mass transfer improvement alleviate decay under potentials is disclosed. • Catalyst with suitable wettability was achieved Rapid kinetics suppress in stabilizing efficient has been extensively employed replace water electro-oxidation. most their electrocatalysts suffer from sluggish large overpotential, further resulting reconstruction catalyst. well-controlled superhydrophilicity-superaerophobicity developed understand stability during alkaline (UOR). ensure structures, best-in-class performances. Importantly, discovery structure transformation due limits created optimal conditions promote urea-assisted production, generally ignored by field. A robust critical achieving highly regulation superwetting property obtaining kinetics. Corroborated spectrum studies calculations, plays key potential.