The Application of Perovskite Oxides in Electrolysis of Seawater: A Review

Faced with global energy and environmental challenges, seawater electrolysis has emerged as a promising route for marine resource utilization. However, its efficiency is limited by impurities and slow reaction kinetics. Although noble metal catalysts show high activity, their high cost and insufficient durability drive the search for alternatives. Perovskite oxides (ABO₃) have gained attention due to their tunable structures, excellent stability, and outstanding catalytic activity. This review systematically explores the roles of perovskite oxides in seawater electrolysis, focusing on their design and function at each electrode. At the cathode, they are tailored to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by improving electron transfer and adsorption. At the anode, the ABO₃ structure enables both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and chlorine evolution reaction (CER). The selectivity between OER and CER depends on lattice oxygen stability and the metal's relative affinity for oxygen and chlorine. In addition, this review covers the compositional flexibility, synthesis methods, and electrocatalytic performance of perovskite oxides in seawater electrolysis. Furthermore, modification strategies aimed at enhancing the activity, selectivity, and durability of perovskite oxides in seawater electrolytes are also discussed. Finally, we present the current challenges and propose future research directions.