Splitting Oceans for Energy: Recent Advances in Catalyst Stability for Seawater Electrolysis

Abstract

The global freshwater scarcity causes researchers to emphasize seawater electrolysis for significant green hydrogen production. Seawater is an abundant resource that may be used to make hydrogen through electrolysis. This has significant implications for the economy based on hydrogen and carbon neutrality. However, splitting seawater to produce hydrogen can help minimize greenhouse gas emissions and address the energy crisis. In the present time, notable advancements have been made in emerging high-performance electrocatalysts for seawater splitting, including noble metals, alloys, metal transitions, oxides, carbides, nitrides, and phosphides. Various innovative approaches have been proposed to develop high-stability metal-based electrocatalysts suitable for seawater hydrogen production. This review systematically investigates future research paths and prospects to improve the practical applications of seawater electrolysis systems and technologies. This review provides an impression of the current progress in improving the stability of electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis. These strategies include the development of novel catalyst materials, including transition metal-based sulfides, nitrides, carbides, phosphides, oxides, and hydroxides, as well as the use of composite catalysts and optimized support materials. Finally, the review outlines future research directions required to overcome existing barriers and enable the commercialization of seawater electrolysis for significant hydrogen evaluation. The continued exploration of stable, high-performance catalysts will be key to advancing the efficiency and sustainability of this technology.