Cutting-edge synthetic strategies for designing multifunctional electrocatalysts with exceptional activity towards efficient hydrogen production and green metrics assessment

The transition to a net-zero carbon economy hinges on the development of sustainable, efficient, and economically viable energy technologies. Here, we present a green, electricity-free auto-combustion synthesis of a multifunctional FeNi@MnO@C electrocatalyst, demonstrating outstanding performance for OER, HER, OWS, UOR, UOS, and OWS in alkaline seawater with a required potential of 1.45, 0.123, 1.57, 1.26, 1.39, and 1.58 V @ 10 mA cm^-2, respectively. FeNi@MnO@C leverages metal synergism to optimize catalytic performance, combining high specific energy, large surface area, and improved electron transfer through energy-efficient green synthesis. Comprehensive environmental assessments and solar-driven water electrolysis affirm the sustainability and scalability of FeNi@MnO@C as a robust platform for large-scale hydrogen generation. This study presents a green synthetic route for multifunctional electrocatalysts that can simultaneously facilitate hydrogen production and degrade pollutants in wastewater. Our approach eliminates hazardous byproducts, reduces material costs, and operates under ambient conditions, offering a scalable and environmentally benign pathway for the production of green hydrogen. These findings establish a new model for the design of multifunctional electrocatalysts, advancing the prospects of a sustainable hydrogen economy and providing an outline for future energy and environmental technologies.