The research on seawater hydrogen production has for the first time incorporated the coupling effects of multiple factors in the real marine environment into the research system, comprehensively connecting the entire chain of cognition from micro reaction mechanisms to macro engineering amplification. It innovatively constructs a systematic evaluation framework for the large-scale and industrial application of seawater direct electrolysis hydrogen production, providing theoretical support and direction guidance for the development of the marine green hydrogen industry.

Industry pain points and research practices

Direct hydrogen production from seawater is an important strategic breakthrough in promoting the transformation of the energy system. Xie Heping, an academician of the CAE Member, said that since the international academic community put forward the idea of direct electrolysis of seawater to produce hydrogen in the 1970s, the relevant research around the world has focused on catalyst modification, asymmetric electrolysis, membrane pore screening and other aspects, and has never completely solved the common problems in the industry such as the side reaction of chlorine evolution, catalyst deactivation, system corrosion and other industrial problems brought by complex components of seawater. At the same time, the vast majority of research has not fully recognized the coupled effects of multiple factors such as fluctuations in seawater composition, wind and wave disturbances, salt spray corrosion, and fluctuations in renewable energy output in real marine environments, resulting in a huge gap between laboratory research results and engineering applications.

In response to the above-mentioned technological development bottlenecks, this study comprehensively sorted out the key micro mechanisms of the direct electrolysis process of seawater, clarified the competitive reactions between oxygen and chlorine evolution, calcium and magnesium ion deposition, interface mass transfer changes and other factors in complex ion environments, and investigated the impact of these factors on the stability and energy efficiency of the seawater direct electrolysis hydrogen production system; Based on the international mainstream technology route, the applicability and limitations of different schemes in the process of engineering amplification were systematically analyzed. For the first time, a cognitive standard for the correlation between micro reaction mechanisms and macro system operation was established, filling the gap between micro basic research and engineering applications in this field.

Evaluation Framework and Industrialization Support

This study, for the first time, extends the research perspective from ideal laboratory systems to real ocean engineering scenarios, constructing a comprehensive system evaluation framework covering material properties, interface processes, device structures, marine environmental factors, and renewable energy adaptability. It provides clear and quantifiable guidance for the optimization, engineering design, and scaling up of seawater hydrogen production technology throughout the entire chain. Keywords: seawater hydrogen production, industrialization, green hydrogen industry

This achievement comprehensively outlines the development trajectory and theoretical system of the "micro mechanism system amplification environmental adaptability" of seawater direct hydrogen production, laying a solid theoretical foundation for promoting the large-scale and industrial application of seawater direct hydrogen production technology from the laboratory stage.Editor/Gong Ziwei