Electrochemical Production of Hydrogen from Hydrogen Sulfide Using Cobalt Cadmium Sulfide

Abstract

The electrocatalytic decomposition of H₂S is a promising technology for H₂ production as well as for targeting environmental pollution. But due to the lack of low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts, this technology for H₂ production is not being explored much. Moreover, the highly toxic and copious waste H₂S released from industries is rarely encountered in the scientific domain. Herein, we have designed a highly efficient electrocatalyst, i.e., CoCd(x:y)S_n, as an anode catalyst for sulfide oxidation reaction (SOR). This optimized catalyst could drive the anode reaction at an onset potential of 0.25 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which was 1.27 V lower than that required for the water oxidation reaction. Moreover, we have achieved 98% H₂ Faradaic efficiency with remarkable stability of 120 h. Thus, this method paves a path to high-value utilization of hazardous waste H₂S and demonstrates its great potential for hydrogen production and sulfur toward sustainable energy applications.