In Situ Formation of LiSiO-Li-NaCl Interface on Si and Its Effect on Hydrogen Evolution.

Silicon has emerged as a competitive candidate for hydrolytic hydrogen production due to its high theoretical hydrogen yield, low cost, and on-demand availability. However, the hydrolysis reaction is extremely restrained by passivated SiO, including the original one on the Si surface and the generated one during hydrolysis, and almost no hydrogen is produced in pure water. Herein, the original SiO surface has been effectively removed by milling micro-Si mixed with a small amount of Li metal and NaCl.