Self‐Powered Electrocatalytic Aldehyde Reforming Fuel Cell for Sustainable H <sub>2</sub> Generation with ∼200% Faradaic Efficiency

F Fen Hu K Kai Chen Z Zhiwen Lu (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy) J Jiyuan Gao (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques toward Hydrogen Energy Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 P.R. China) S Senchen Lan (Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 P.R. China) J Junxiang Chen (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy) S Suqin Ci (Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle Nanchang Hangkong University Nanchang 330063 P.R. China) Z Zhenhai Wen (State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy)

Abstract

Abstract Formaldehyde (HCHO), a promising yet challenging hydrogen carrier, offers a unique opportunity for efficient hydrogen generation through electro‐oxidation, simultaneously eliminating harmful HCHO and contributing to environmental sustainability. This study rises to the challenge by pioneering a hybrid acid/alkali formaldehyde hydrogen production fuel cell (h‐AAFHFC), an integrated system that integrates anodic partial electro‐reforming of aldehydes at low potential with the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The device introduces a new self‐powered paradigm for hydrogen generation, driven by electrochemical neutralization energy (ENE), featuring high Faradaic efficiency for hydrogen production, co‐generation of electricity, and HCOOH. The h‐AAFHFC attains an open‐circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.11 V and a peak power density of 94 mW cm −2 , enabling simultaneous hydrogen production at both electrodes with an extraordinary Faradaic efficiency of approximately 200%. This breakthrough marks a transformative shift, moving from traditional electricity‐driven systems to self‐sustaining H 2 generation. Our work demonstrates a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production, advancing the potential of clean hydrogen energy technologies.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 26
Published June 24, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

F

Fen Hu

K

Kai Chen

Z

Zhiwen Lu

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy

J

Jiyuan Gao

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques toward Hydrogen Energy Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 P.R. China

S

Senchen Lan

Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 P.R. China

J

Junxiang Chen

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy

S

Suqin Ci

Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle Nanchang Hangkong University Nanchang 330063 P.R. China

Z

Zhenhai Wen

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques Toward Hydrogen Energy