MoO3/V2O5/Ni(OH)2 with multiple heterojunction interfaces for the hydrogen preparation from urea-containing wastewater

Compared to a single heterostructure , constructing multiple heterojunction interfaces to enhance bifunctional catalytic activity still faces challenges. Herein, a nanoflower-like electrocatalyst with multiple heterojunction interfaces, which consists of MoO 3 , V 2 O 5 , and Ni(OH) 2 in-situ grown on nickel foam, is prepared through a one-step hydrothermal method (MoO 3 /V 2 O 5 /Ni(OH) 2 /NF, named MVN/NF). The MVN/NF exhibits superior catalytic performance, attributable to enhanced electron transfer facilitated by numerous heterojunction interfaces, a substantial active specific surface area , and a self-supported architecture. It requires low potentials for hydrogen evolution reaction , urea oxidation reaction , and overall urea electrolysis of 81 mV, 1.351 V, and 1.450 V (vs. RHE), respectively, to reach a current density of 10 mA cm −2 . By cutting the material into a large-scale electrode for use in an alkaline electrolyzer , its Faraday efficiency was 90.0%, and the urea decomposition rate reached 45.1%. This work offers broad application prospects for the realization of large-scale hydrogen production and the decomposition of urea-containing wastewater.