Sustainable seawater electrolysis: evaluating environmental impacts and technological development opportunities

Abstract

As the global energy landscape shifts towards sustainable development, seawater electrolysis is increasingly recognised as a promising technology for green hydrogen production. This approach utilises the abundant availability of seawater, presenting a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional hydrogen generation techniques. Despite its promise, seawater electrolysis faces significant challenges in energy efficiency, catalyst performance, and the management of undesirable by-products. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in seawater electrolysis, with particular emphasis on its environmental impacts and the technological opportunities it presents. The challenges of seawater electrolysis are discussed, with issues related to electrodes, electrolytes and membranes being highlighted. Furthermore, recent solutions and technological developments aimed at addressing these challenges are outlined. Finally, the current state of seawater electrolysis is summarised, and its prospects are discussed, highlighting promising research directions that may enhance its viability in supporting the worldwide shift towards clean energy solutions.