Critical progress in direct seawater electrolysis for sustainable hydrogen production

Abstract

Direct seawater electrolysis has recently emerged as a sustainable approach for green hydrogen production by harnessing abundant marine resources. However, its industrial deployment faces significant challenges due to the complex composition of seawater enriched in diverse ions and microorganisms which can induce severe chemical and physical degradation of electrolysis systems. Despite significant advances in the field, a comprehensive overview and analysis of seawater electrolysis remain relatively limited, particularly regarding electrochemical fundamentals, materials development and technological innovation. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of recent advances in electrocatalytic seawater electrolysis and offer insights into the major barriers to achieving stable hydrogen production. We discuss key aspects such as catalyst and electrode design, electrolyzer optimization, etc., to establish a roadmap for the commercialization of efficient, cost-effective and sustainable seawater electrolysis technology.