Volume 61, Issue 45 e202210753
Review

Rationally Designing Efficient Electrocatalysts for Direct Seawater Splitting: Challenges, Achievements, and Promises

Jianyun Liu

Jianyun Liu

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000 China

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Dr. Shuo Duan

Dr. Shuo Duan

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

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Hao Shi

Hao Shi

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

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Prof. Tanyuan Wang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Tanyuan Wang

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000 China

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Xiaoxuan Yang

Xiaoxuan Yang

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA

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Prof. Yunhui Huang

Prof. Yunhui Huang

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

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Prof. Gang Wu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Gang Wu

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA

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Prof. Qing Li

Corresponding Author

Prof. Qing Li

State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China

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First published: 23 August 2022
Citations: 159

Graphical Abstract

This Review provides an overview of electrocatalysts designed for the direct splitting of seawater. The mechanism of seawater splitting is introduced before the primary principles for designing catalysts (noble metal, noble metal free, and metal-free) for seawater splitting are analyzed in terms of both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. The future development of electrocatalysts for clean hydrogen generation is also discussed.

Abstract

Directly splitting seawater to produce hydrogen provides a promising pathway for energy and environmental sustainability. However, current seawater splitting faces many challenges because of the sluggish kinetics, the presence of impurities, membrane contamination, and the competitive chloride oxidation reaction at the anode, which makes it more difficult than freshwater splitting. This Review firstly introduces the basic mechanisms of the anode and cathode reactions during seawater splitting. We critically analyze the primary principles for designing catalysts for seawater splitting in terms of both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, including with noble metal, noble metal free, and metal-free catalysts. Strategies to design effective catalysts, such as active site population, synergistic effect regulation, and surface engineering, are discussed. Furthermore, promises, perspectives, and challenges in developing seawater splitting technologies for clean hydrogen generation are summarized.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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