Challenges and progress in oxygen evolution reaction catalyst development for seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production

Production of green hydrogen on a large scale can negatively impact freshwater resources. Therefore, using seawater as an electrolyte in electrolysis is a desirable alternative to reduce costs and freshwater reliance.

However, there are limitations to this approach, primarily due to the catalyst involved in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In seawater, the OER features sluggish kinetics and complicated chemical reactions that compete.

This review first introduces the benefits and challenges of direct seawater electrolysis and then summarises recent research into cost-effective and durable OER electrocatalysts. Different modification methods for nickel-based electrocatalysts are thoroughly reviewed, and promising electrocatalysts that the authors believe deserve further exploration have been highlighted.

Authors

Jack Corbin, Mikey Jones, Cheng Lyu, Adeline Loh, Zhenyu Zhang, Yanqui Zhu & Xiaohong Li

Article DOI

10.1039/D3RA08648H

Journal

RSC Advances - Issue 9

Institution/Funder Name

University of Exeter

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Electrodeposition and Optimisation of Amorphous NixSy Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Environment