Disrupting Interfacial Hydrogen‐Bond Networks via S‐Bridge Bonding for Anti‐Scaling Hydrogen Production in Seawater

ABSTRACT Electrolyzing seawater for hydrogen production is a promising route toward energy transition, yet its efficiency is limited by sluggish water dissociation, hydrogen desorption kinetics, and cathode‐side precipitation issues. To address these challenges, a highly efficient hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst was developed by constructing a Pt/NiS structure interconnected through S bridge bonds, enabling strong synergistic electron transfer. In situ characterizations and theoretical analyses reveal that the S bridges modulate charge distribution between NiS and Pt and enhance strong metal‐substrate interactions (SMSI), which disrupt rigid hydrogen‐bond networks, accelerate water dissociation on NiS, and facilitate H* transfer to Pt. Furthermore, in neutral seawater, the disrupted hydrogen‐bond network also increases water mobility and lowers bubble surface tension, promoting the formation and release of smaller bubbles and preventing active‐site blockage by Mg/Ca hydroxide precipitates. As a result, the catalyst achieves excellent stability in alkaline and neutral seawater. In an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE), the Pt/NiS||S‐NiFe LDH system delivers a low cell voltage of 1.71 V at 100 mA cm ⁻² and a competitive hydrogen production cost of $1.07 GGE ⁻¹ , demonstrating its outstanding activity, stability, and efficiency.