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Concentrated KOH-activated 3D-printed martensitic steel for high-performance alkaline water electrolysis.

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Title: Concentrated KOH-activated 3D-printed martensitic steel for high-performance alkaline water electrolysis.
Authors: Li, Mingen1, Zhong, Chengcheng2, Su, Shichen1 shichensu@scnu.edu.cn, Wang, Shuangpeng2 spwang@um.edu.mo
Source: Dalton Transactions: An International Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 9/28/2025, Vol. 54 Issue 36, p13764-13774. 11p.
Subjects: Water electrolysis, Electrocatalysts, Green fuels, Catalysts, Martensitic stainless steel, Nanoporous materials, Potassium hydroxide
Abstract: Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is a promising green hydrogen production technology, yet it is hindered by high-cost noble metal catalysts and poor low-cost alternatives. This study shows that 3D-printed martensitic steel, particularly a Ni11.0–Co13.5–Cr3.2–Mo1.2–C0.2–Fe70.9 alloy, becomes a highly efficient AWE electrocatalyst after cyclic voltammetry activation in KOH. Before activation the HER performance improved with higher Co but remained suboptimal, while after activation the alloy exhibited a remarkable enhancement: low overpotential at high current density and a drastically reduced Tafel slope. This improvement stems from surface reconstruction forming a nanoporous structure and a hydroxylated layer, increasing the electrochemically active surface area. This work provides a low-cost, high-performance alternative to noble metal catalysts, advancing green hydrogen scalability for energy and environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is a promising green hydrogen production technology, yet it is hindered by high-cost noble metal catalysts and poor low-cost alternatives. This study shows that 3D-printed martensitic steel, particularly a Ni11.0–Co13.5–Cr3.2–Mo1.2–C0.2–Fe70.9 alloy, becomes a highly efficient AWE electrocatalyst after cyclic voltammetry activation in KOH. Before activation the HER performance improved with higher Co but remained suboptimal, while after activation the alloy exhibited a remarkable enhancement: low overpotential at high current density and a drastically reduced Tafel slope. This improvement stems from surface reconstruction forming a nanoporous structure and a hydroxylated layer, increasing the electrochemically active surface area. This work provides a low-cost, high-performance alternative to noble metal catalysts, advancing green hydrogen scalability for energy and environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:14779226
DOI:10.1039/d5dt01776a