Advancing industrial rate current density in water electrolysis for green hydrogen production: catalyst development, benchmarking, and best practices

Abstract

Green hydrogen production through water electrolysis has emerged as an outstanding and compatible source of sustainable energy. The zero-carbon emission with high purity marks its footprint towards industrialization. However, achieving commercial-scale current density with utmost durability has been a challenge for the research community. Several technical obstacles need to be overcome before its full promise can be realized as a potential alternative to fossil fuels. This review explores the advantages and limitations of non-noble electrocatalysts, highlighting promising strategies such as 3D substrate integration and binder-free synthesis, which enhance water electrolysis and electrochemical performance for industrial hydrogen generation. Promising approaches to effective water dissociation using 3D substrate material are outlined in the work, along with the advantages of binder-free synthesis and sophisticated manufacturing processes that could simplify electrode design while lowering costs and improving performance. This review offers an essential viewpoint on the engineering of green hydrogen in the future by combining these methods. The creation of next-generation water electrolysis systems ensures a sustainable and profitable hydrogen economy while also directly advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, which include clean energy, industrial innovation, and climate action.