Cited by 22Electrocatalysts for Energy ConversionHybrid Renewable Energy SystemsFuel Cells and Related Materials

Modulating selectivity and stability of the direct seawater electrolysis for sustainable green hydrogen production

Open access
Yao, Dazhi, Liu, Chun, Zhang, Yanzhao, Wang, Shuhao, Nie, Yan, Qiao, Man, Zhu, Dongdong·2025·Materials Today Catalysis

Abstract

Direct seawater electrolysis (DSE) has emerged as a compelling route to sustainable hydrogen production, leveraging the vast global reserves of seawater. However, the inherently complex composition of seawater—laden with halide ions, multivalent cations (Mg 2 + , Ca 2+ ), and organic/biological impurities—presents formidable challenges in maintaining both selectivity and durability. Chief among these obstacles is mitigating chloride corrosion and suppressing chlorine evolution reaction (ClER) at the anode, while also preventing the precipitation of magnesium and calcium hydroxides at the cathode. This review consolidates recent advances in material engineering and cell design strategies aimed at controlling undesired side reactions, enhancing electrode stability, and maximizing energy efficiency in DSE. We first outline the fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic hurdles introduced by Cl − and other impurities. This discussion highlights how these factors accelerate catalyst degradation and drive suboptimal reaction pathways. We then delve into innovative approaches to improve selectivity and durability of DSE—such as engineering protective barrier layers, tuning electrolyte interfaces, developing corrosion-resistant materials, and techniques to minimize Mg/Ca-related precipitations. Finally, we explore emerging reactor configurations, including asymmetric and membrane-free electrolyzers, which address some barriers for DSE commercialization. Collectively, these insights provide a framework for designing next-generation DSE systems, which can achieve large-scale, cost-effective, and environmentally benign hydrogen production.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.mtcata.2025.100089

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185 of 185 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Global H2 demand reached 97 Mt in 2023, with low-emission H2 production accounting for less than 1 Mt of this total.

    “Global H 2 demand reached 97 Mt in 2023, currently constituting only a minor fraction of total global energy consumption, with low-emission H 2 production accounting for less than 1 Mt of this total [56,57].”
  • Liquid biofuels like bioethanol, biodiesel, HVO, and liquid e-Fuels are often designed as drop-in or near drop-in fuels.

    “Liquid biofuels like bioethanol (in blends like E10), biodiesel, and HVO, as well as liquid e-Fuels (e-gasoline, e-diesel, e-kerosene), are often designed as “drop-in” or near drop-in fuels [57,64].”

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Authors
Yao, D., Liu, C., Zhang, Y., Wang, S., Nie, Y., Qiao, M., & Zhu, D.
Affiliations
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
  • Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (CN)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Zhang, Yanzhao
  • Zhu, Dongdong
Venue
Materials Today Catalysis
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-03
Volume
8
Pages
100089
ISSN
2949-754X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4407218329
Cited by
21
References
185
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 9
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Materials Today Catalysis (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (22402084)
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M741771)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Energy Engineering and Power Technology › Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Fuel Cells and Related Materials
Keywords
direct seawater electrolysis, green hydrogen production, chlorine evolution reaction, chloride-induced corrosion, magnesium hydroxide precipitation, calcium hydroxide precipitation, electrode selectivity, electrode durability, protective barrier layer, corrosion-resistant materials, catalyst deactivation

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