Direct seawater splitting to hydrogen by a membrane electrolyzer

Abstract

Using abundant seawater electrolysis to generate hydrogen is a sustainable alternative to increasingly matured freshwater electrolysis. In a recent issue of Nature, Xie, Shao, and co-workers reported direct seawater splitting via a scalable alkaline electrolyzer incorporating a waterproof, breathable membrane and a self-dampening electrolyte that together works as in situ water purification. Using abundant seawater electrolysis to generate hydrogen is a sustainable alternative to increasingly matured freshwater electrolysis. In a recent issue of Nature, Xie, Shao, and co-workers reported direct seawater splitting via a scalable alkaline electrolyzer incorporating a waterproof, breathable membrane and a self-dampening electrolyte that together works as in situ water purification.