The catalyst was developed using affordable lignin and urea. Lignin, a by-product that accounts for 15% to 35% of wood, is produced during paper and biofuel manufacturing. Urea, rich in nitrogen, is commonly found in industrial wastewater. This innovative catalyst reduces the overvoltage required for seawater cells and accelerates electrochemical reactions, enabling quicker electricity discharge.
The research team achieved nitrogen doping throughout the lignin structure by heating it to 800°C and reacting it with urea at the same temperature. This process created a high-performance catalyst, where the nitrogen incorporation reduces the energy needed for electricity discharge and replaces specific carbon atoms in the lignin matrix.