Citation: Haipeng Wang, Dongrui Li, Mingyu Liu, Yufei Kong, Chaoxin Yang, Zixiao Li, Shengjun Sun, Shaochen Wang, Mohamed S. Hamdy, Asmaa Farouk, Zhengwei Cai, Xuping Sun. Sodium alginate-modified NiFe layered double hydroxide for robust alkaline seawater oxidation at high current densities[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(9): 112945. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112945 shu

Sodium alginate-modified NiFe layered double hydroxide for robust alkaline seawater oxidation at high current densities

Haipeng Wang ^{a, b, c, 1} ,
Dongrui Li ^{d, 1} ,
Mingyu Liu ^d ,
Yufei Kong ^d ,
Chaoxin Yang ^d ,
Zixiao Li ^d ,
Shengjun Sun ^d ,
Shaochen Wang ^{a, b, c} ,
Mohamed S. Hamdy ^e ,
Asmaa Farouk ^e ,
Zhengwei Cai ^{f, *,} ,
Xuping Sun ^{d, g, *,}

a.
College of Nuclear Equipment and Nuclear Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
b.
Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes and Ecological Security, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
c.
Yantai Key Laboratory of Advanced Nuclear Energy Materials and Irradiation Technology, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
d.
College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Ji’nan 250014, China
e.
Central Labs & Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
f.
Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
g.
Center for High Altitude Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China

caizhengwei2021@163.com

xpsun@uestc.edu.cn

Received Date: 30 December 2025
Revised Date: 12 May 2026
Accepted Date: 13 May 2026
Available Online: 14 May 2026

Figures(4)

Seawater electrolysis, utilizing coastal resources, holds great promise as a sustainable method for hydrogen production. However, the efficiency of seawater electrolysis is limited by anode catalysts with high overpotentials (η) and short lifespans, due to chloride-induced side reactions. In this study, we introduce sodium alginate (SA) modified NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets on Ni foam (SA@NiFe LDH/NF) as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for long-term alkaline seawater oxidation. Our SA@NiFe LDH/NF needs a low η of 362 mV to reach 1000 mA/cm², outperforming the unmodified NiFe LDH/NF (425 mV). Furthermore, it maintains continuous electrolysis for 1600 h at current densities of 500 and 1000 mA/cm². In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals that the SA protective layer not only facilitates NiOOH formation but also establishes a dense electrostatic network via carboxyl groups, which repels chloride ions and ensures stable seawater oxidation. This work presents a promising strategy for developing durable, high-performance anodes and highlights the potential of natural polysaccharide coatings for enhancing anode corrosion resistance during the seawater electrolysis process.
- Sodium alginate,
- NiFe layered double hydroxide,
- Seawater oxidation electrocatalysis,
- Cl^- repulsion,
- Long-term durability
1. [1]
  A. Goldthau, Nature 546 (2017) 203–205. doi: 10.1038/546203a
2. [2]
  M. Goel, G. Sen, Climate Action and Hydrogen Economy: Technologies Shaping the Energy Transition, Springer Nature, Singapore, 2024.
3. [3]
  H. Jin, H. Yu, H. Li, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61 (2022) e202203850. doi: 10.1002/anie.202203850
4. [4]
  H. Valera, A.K. Agarwal, Hydrogen As Emerging Fuel For De-Fossilizing Transport Sector, Springer, Singapore, 2024.
5. [5]
  I. Ohsawa, M. Ishikawa, K. Takahashi, et al., Nat. Med. 13 (2007) 688–694. doi: 10.1038/nm1577
6. [6]
  J. Slezák, B. Kura, Molecular Hydrogen in Health and Disease, Springer, Switzerland, 2024.
7. [7]
  Z. Jiang, M. Ainiwaer, J. Liu, et al., Biomater. Sci. 12 (2024) 4136–4154. doi: 10.1039/d4bm00446a
8. [8]
  J. Ge, X. Wang, H. Tian, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 109906. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109906
9. [9]
  J. Wang, W. Cui, Q. Liu, et al., Adv. Mater. 28 (2016) 215–230. doi: 10.1002/adma.201502696
10. [10]
  I. Roger, M.A. Shipman, M.D. Symes, Nat. Rev. Chem. 1 (2017) 0003. doi: 10.1038/s41570-016-0003
11. [11]
  P. Greve, T. Kahil, J. Mochizuki, et al., Nat. Sustain. 1 (2018) 486–494. doi: 10.1038/s41893-018-0134-9
12. [12]
  S.L. Postel, Ecol. Appl. 10 (2000) 941–948. doi: 10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[0941:EAEOWS]2.0.CO;2
13. [13]
  M. Yang, J. Ding, Z. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 110861. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110861
14. [14]
  J. Liang, Z. Li, M. Zhang, et al., Adv. Mater. 37 (2025) 2503660. doi: 10.1002/adma.202503660
15. [15]
  W. Tong, M. Forster, F. Dionigi, et al., Nat. Energy 5 (2020) 367–377. doi: 10.1038/s41560-020-0550-8
16. [16]
  J. Liang, Z. Li, X. He, et al., Mater. Today 69 (2023) 193–235. doi: 10.1016/j.mattod.2023.08.024
17. [17]
  C. Yang, K. Dong, L. Zhang, et al., Inorg. Chem. 62 (2023) 7976–7981. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c00836
18. [18]
  J. Liang, Z. Cai, Z. Li, et al., ACS Nano 19 (2025) 1530–1546. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14502
19. [19]
  X. He, Y. Yao, M. Zhang, et al., Nat. Commun. 16 (2025) 5541. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-60620-9
20. [20]
  Y. Zhao, B. Jin, Y. Zheng, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 8 (2018) 1801926. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201801926
21. [21]
  Z. Wang, C. Wang, L. Ye, et al., Inorg. Chem. 61 (2022) 15256–15265. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02579
22. [22]
  G.H. Gao, R.Z. Zhao, Y.J. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 109181. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109181
23. [23]
  K. Jiang, W. Liu, W. Lai, et al., Inorg. Chem. 60 (2021) 17371–17378. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c02903
24. [24]
  Q. Sha, S. Wang, L. Yan, et al., Nature 639 (2025) 360–367. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-08610-1
25. [25]
  W. Zhang, Y. Wei, J. Li, et al., Fuel 377 (2024) 132782. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132782
26. [26]
  Z. Li, J. Liang, S. Hong, et al., Nat. Commun. 16 (2025) 10327. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-65272-3
27. [27]
  J. Liang, Z. Cai, Z. Li, et al., Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 2950. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47121-x
28. [28]
  K. Wang, J. Qiu, Z. Wu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 109993. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109993
29. [29]
  X. Sun, W. Shen, H. Liu, et al., Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 10351. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54754-5
30. [30]
  L. Ye, Z. Chen, X. Xu, et al., Inorg. Chem. 63 (2024) 20859–20869. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c03660
31. [31]
  Z. Wu, J. Li, J. Ying, et al., Small 21 (2025) 2504302. doi: 10.1002/smll.202504302
32. [32]
  L. Yao, J. Yang, Z. Li, et al., Inorg. Chem. 64 (2025) 2458–2467. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c04953
33. [33]
  Y. Yu, W. Zhou, X. Zhou, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2419871. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202419871
34. [34]
  H. Wang, Z. Li, S. Hong, et al., Small 20 (2024) 2311431. doi: 10.1002/smll.202311431
35. [35]
  J. Song, Z. Li, S. Sun, et al., J. Colloid. Interf. Sci. 679 (2025) 1–8.
36. [36]
  X. Wang, Z. Li, S. Sun, et al., J. Colloid. Interf. Sci. 662 (2024) 596–603. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.043
37. [37]
  L. Zhang, J. Liang, L. Yue, et al., Nano Res. Energy 1 (2022) e9120028. doi: 10.26599/nre.2022.9120028
38. [38]
  A.E. Mohammed, L.R. Abdalhalim, K.M. Atalla, et al., Rend. Lincei Sci. Fis. Nat. 34 (2023) 415–425. doi: 10.1007/s12210-023-01154-4
39. [39]
  X. Li, K. Li, J. Wu, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 339 (2024) 126637. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.126637
40. [40]
  N.N. Indriyani, J. Al-Anshori, T. Wahyudi, et al., J. Biomater. Sci., Polym. Ed. 35 (2024) 989–1007. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2024.2313829
41. [41]
  H. Wang, L. Yang, Y. Yang, et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 292 (2025) 139151. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139151
42. [42]
  S. Raza, A.U. Rehman, C. Chen, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 13 (2025) 4390–4403. doi: 10.1039/d4ta08240k
43. [43]
  Y. Yao, S. Sun, H. Zhang, et al., J. Energy Chem. 91 (2024) 306–312. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2024.01.011
44. [44]
  Y. Ren, X. Zhang, C. Yang, et al., Inorg. Chem. 64 (2025) 21185–21193. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c03907
45. [45]
  S. Kumaravel, R. Jayakumar, K.K. Saravanan, et al., Dalton Trans. 51 (2022) 17454–17465. doi: 10.1039/d2dt03160d
46. [46]
  W. Jiang, Z. Li, S. Sun, et al., Catal. Sci. Technol. 15 (2025) 4386–4391. doi: 10.1039/d5cy00677e
47. [47]
  Y. Zhou, J. Gao, M. Ju, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 16 (2024) 28526–28536. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c03766
48. [48]
  L. Huang, M. Liu, S. Sun, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 14 (2026) 7382–7387. doi: 10.1039/d5ta09582d
49. [49]
  T. Li, C. Yang, Z. Cai, et al., Mater. Today Phys. 50 (2025) 101612. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2024.101612
50. [50]
  J. Vos, M. Koper, J. Electroanal. Chem. 819 (2018) 260–268. doi: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.10.058
51. [51]
  M.M. Campos Vallette, N.P. Chandía, E. Clavijo, et al., J Raman Spectrosc. 41 (2010) 758–763. doi: 10.1002/jrs.2517
52. [52]
  T. Schmid, A. Messmer, B.S. Yeo, et al., Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 391 (2008) 1907–1916. doi: 10.1007/s00216-008-2101-1
1. [1]
  Guo-Hong Gao , Run-Ze Zhao , Ya-Jun Wang , Xiao Ma , Yan Li , Jian Zhang , Ji-Sen Li . Core–shell heterostructure engineering of CoP nanowires coupled NiFe LDH nanosheets for highly efficient water/seawater oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(8): 109181-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109181
2. [2]
  Feng Cao , Chunxiang Xian , Tianqi Yang , Yue Zhang , Haifeng Chen , Xinping He , Xukun Qian , Shenghui Shen , Yang Xia , Wenkui Zhang , Xinhui Xia . Gelation-pyrolysis strategy for fabrication of advanced carbon/sulfur cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110575-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110575
3. [3]
  Yaping Li , Sai An , Aiqing Cao , Shilong Li , Ming Lei . The Application of Molecular Simulation Software in Structural Chemistry Education: First-Principles Calculation of NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(3): 160-170. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202405185
4. [4]
  Zhu Wang , Shuangqiu Huang , Danni Guo , Wenhao Lao , Yiping Feng , Tong Li , Zhao-Qing Liu , Chun Hu . Reductive sequestration of Cr(Ⅵ) from water by an all-in-one polypyrrole/NiFe-layered double hydroxide filter. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111090-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111090
5. [5]
  Jinqiang Gao , Haifeng Yuan , Xinjuan Du , Feng Dong , Yu Zhou , Shengnan Na , Yanpeng Chen , Mingyu Hu , Mei Hong , Shihe Yang . Methanol steam mediated corrosion engineering towards high-entropy NiFe layered double hydroxide for ultra-stable oxygen evolution. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 110232-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110232
6. [6]
  Fangping Yang , Jin Shi , Yuansong Wei , Qing Gao , Jingrui Shen , Lichen Yin , Haoyu Tang . Mixed-charge glycopolypeptides as antibacterial coatings with long-term activity. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109746-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109746
7. [7]
  Yuena Yang , Xufang Hu , Yushan Liu , Yaya Kuang , Jian Ling , Qiue Cao , Chuanhua Zhou . The Realm of Smart Hydrogels. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 172-183. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310125
8. [8]
  Yijie Zhong , Yurun Tong , Weitao Wang , Ru Qiao , Jing Zhang , Enlai Hu , Peijun Gong . 基于“双极”技术的电势-pH图解析与电化学性能优化基础实验. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(5): 264-274. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202511071
9. [9]
  Fengkai Zou , Borui Su , Han Leng , Nini Xin , Shichao Jiang , Dan Wei , Mei Yang , Youhua Wang , Hongsong Fan . Red-emissive carbon quantum dots minimize phototoxicity for rapid and long-term lipid droplet monitoring. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109523-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109523
10. [10]
  Liang-Yu Chang , Li-Ju Xu , Dong Qiu . Shellac-based capsule for long-term controlled releasing urea with a broad soil pH tolerance. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110034-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110034
11. [11]
  Guoyin Chen , Siming Xu , Zeqi Zhang , Ying Guo , Jiahao Zheng , Jialei Yang , Jie Pan , Kai Hou , Meifang Zhu . Modulus self-adaptive hydrogel optical fiber for long-term modulation of neural activity. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 110440-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110440
12. [12]
  Xin Li , Zhijie Liu , Hezhi Guo , Zekai Zhang , Polun Pang , Yuting Gao , Xiangdong Tan . Underwater air bubble plasma-activated peroxymonosulfate for sustainable long-term self-purification of wastewater. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 111668-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111668
13. [13]
  Jinglin CHENG , Xiaoming GUO , Tao MENG , Xu HU , Liang LI , Yanzhe WANG , Wenzhu HUANG . NiAlNd catalysts for CO₂ methanation derived from the layered double hydroxide precursor. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(8): 1592-1602. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240152
14. [14]
  Hui Yang , Guangxun Zhang , Yueyao Sun , Huijie Zhou , Huan Pang . Bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate framework derived hollow layered double hydroxide with tailorable interlayer spacing for nickel-zinc batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110016-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110016
15. [15]
  Zhuwei Yang , Linsen Li , Yijie Lin , Xinyuan Tao , Xiao Liu , Lei Chen , Ming Ma , Li Lin , Riguang Zhang , Jiayuan Li , Zhao Jiang . Regulating the Oxygen Vacancies in Ni-CexZr1-xO2/ZSM-5 to Improve the Long-term Stability for Methane Dry Reforming. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(8): 100632-100632. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100632
16. [16]
  Honghao Ma , Yilin Chen , Zhichao Liu , Yang Tian . Long-term stable tetrahedral DNA functionalized upconversion nanoparticles for point-of-care detection of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(7): 112159-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112159
17. [17]
  Yuan Yang , Yue Wang , Xi Wang , Hanshuang Li , Xiaoli Wu , Yurong Deng , Chengbin Zheng . High-throughput miniaturized purge-and-trap device integrating semiconductor refrigeration storage for on-site extraction and long-term preservation of VOCs in water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 111395-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111395
18. [18]
  Wenjing Dai , Lan Luo , Zhen Yin . Interface reconstruction of hybrid oxide electrocatalysts for seawater oxidation. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(3): 100442-100442. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100442
19. [19]
  Guanjun Chen , Jiayi Yang , Zheming Huang , Long Chen , Wenyuan Duan , Tong Wang , Xingang Kong , Haibo Yang . Engineering the interlayer sodium density in layered sodium cobalt oxide for boosted chlorine evolution reaction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111662-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111662
20. [20]
  Xia Chen , Ting Dai , Meng-Ying Yin , Xing-Yuan Xia , Qiu-Ju Xing , Lei Tian , Jian-Ping Zou . Enhanced anodic mass transfer enables interfacial Cl^• for efficient ammonia oxidation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 111445-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111445

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(9)
HTML views(2)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142