GIFT Associate Professor Tianze Wu's Research Team Publishes Breakthrough Achievements in Nature Catalysis

On June 11, 2026, a research team led by Associate Professor Tianze Wu from the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), in collaboration with the team of Professor Zhichuan J. Xu from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, published a paper titled “Ammonia splitting with electrode alternating for durable hydrogen production” in the journal Nature Catalysis.

First Authors: Tianze Wu (GIFT), Chengchen Dai (NTU), Yuwei Zhang (NTU), and Yuan Liu (Tianjin University).

Corresponding authors: Prof. Tianze Wu and Prof. Zhichuan J. Xu (NTU)

Hydrogen energy is key to a low-carbon future, but storing and transporting it is costly and poses safety risks. Ammonia, with high hydrogen content and existing infrastructure, is a promising hydrogen carrier. Unlike high-temperature ammonia cracking, electrochemical ammonia splitting operates under milder conditions, making it a practical route for hydrogen supply. However, catalysts for ammonia oxidation degrade quickly due to poisoning and oxidation, limiting this technology's practical application.

Figure 1: Conceptual illustration of ammonia splitting

To address this critical challenge, the researchers proposed an electrode-alternating (EA) strategy that uses two identical electrodes and periodically swaps their polarity in the electrolysis cell: when one electrode is performing AOR to produce nitrogen, the other simultaneously regenerates through cathodic reduction, thereby sustaining continuous H2 production; then the two electrodes swap roles, enabling continuous hydrogen production coupled with in-situ regeneration. This strategy significantly improves both current density and durability.

Through theoretical calculations and experimental validation, the researchers screened catalysts suitable for the EA strategy. They found that an ideal catalyst must not only possess dual activity for both AOR and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but also exhibit reversible regeneration, high oxidation potential, and good corrosion resistance. Among various candidates, platinum-based catalysts demonstrated the best resistance to oxidation, regeneration efficiency, and stability in ammonia-containing electrolytes, making them the key catalytic material for this system.

To optimize the system, the researchers identified an operating window of ±0.8 V with a 1‑minute step time. Under these conditions, the system achieved a hydrogen Faradaic efficiency of approximately 99% while maintaining low charge consumption for regeneration. With optimized parameters, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) prototype demonstrated ammonia splitting and delivered a stable current density of ~2 A cm−2 for over 1,000 h. A technological economic analysis indicated that this strategy significantly reduces hydrogen production costs to ~US$1kg−1 H2, advancing the practical potential of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.

Figure 2: Long-term prototype demonstration and practical impact

This study not only offers a new approach to highly-efficient, stable electrochemical ammonia splitting for hydrogen production but also provides a generalizable electrode design and operational strategy for other electrocatalytic systems that suffer from catalyst poisoning. The researchers plan to focus future work on several specific aims: reducing the use of precious metals, developing stable non‑precious metal catalysts, optimizing MEA structures, and advancing system integration. They aim to enhance cost-effectiveness, improve catalyst stability, refine device efficiency, and facilitate the commercial application of electrochemical ammonia splitting technology.

Paper DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01554-3

Corresponding Author Profile

Tianze Wu

Tenure-track Associate Professor and PhD supervisor at the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National High‑Level Young Talent; Shanghai High‑Level Young Talent; recipient of the 2023 Young Individual Research Grant Award. Prof. Wu received his PhD degree from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 2021, under the guidance of Professor Zhichuan J. Xu. From 2021 to 2022, he worked as a Scientist at the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy, and Environment at A*STAR in Singapore. From 2022 to 2026, he held the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship at NTU. In 2026, he joined the Center for Future Zero‑Carbon Systems and Technologies at GIFT. His research focuses on electrolytic hydrogen production, spin-enhancing electrocatalysis, and smart electrolysis systems.

Selected Publications (First/Corresponding Author):

1. Nature Catalysis, 2026, DOI: 10.1038/s41929-026-01554-3

2. Nature Sustainability, 9, 523–532 (2026)

3. Nature Energy, 10, 435 (2025)

4. Nature Catalysis, 2, 763–772 (2019)

5. Nature Communications, 16, 5601 (2025)

Research Team Website:
https://gift.sjtu.edu.cn/ec-zero/