Corrosion-resistant single-atom catalysts for direct seawater electrolysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Direct seawater electrolysis (DSE) is a key technology for storing renewable energy.
• DSE faces significant challenges including slow reaction kinetics, impurities, chlorine evolution, and membrane fouling.
• Developing robust and active catalysts is crucial for advancing DSE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of anodic and cathodic reactions in seawater electrolysis.
• To explore strategies for modulating single-atom catalysts (SACs) to address DSE challenges.
• To discuss characterization and theoretical methods for understanding SACs in DSE.

Main Methods:

• Review of reaction mechanisms in seawater electrolysis.
• Analysis of strategies for single-atom catalyst (SAC) modulation (ligand engineering, carrier effects, protective layers).
• Discussion of in-situ characterization and theoretical calculations for SACs.

Main Results:

• Single-atom catalysts (SACs) show great potential for DSE due to their tunability and high active sites.
• Modulation strategies are essential for enhancing SAC stability and activity in corrosive seawater environments.
• In-situ techniques and theoretical calculations are vital for elucidating SAC performance.

Conclusions:

• SACs are a promising avenue for efficient and stable direct seawater electrolysis.
• Rational design and modulation of SACs are critical for overcoming DSE limitations.
• Further research into scaling up SACs is needed for practical hydrogen production from seawater.