Recent advances in transition metal-based electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis

Low carbon-footprint hydrogen generated from water splitting has attracted wide attention, which can satisfy future industrial requirements as a promising method. Compared with the scarcity of available freshwater, seawater splitting becomes worldwide research focus due to abundant seawater resources. Nevertheless, precious metal catalysts featured with high cost and low stability in seawater restrict its practical application. Recently, great progress of transition metals' (TM) compounds has been made toward seawater electrolysis, which made the process more practically feasible due to its abundant reserve and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the recent advances and challenges of TM-based electrocatalysts in seawater; wherein few reviews have been reported so far. Herein, in this review, a comprehensive introduction of recently reported TM-based electrocatalysts and advanced strategies for seawater electrolysis are provided. In particular, the challenges and perspectives of TM-based electrocatalysts in the field of commercial application are briefly concluded at the end.

Automated summary

The low carbon-footprint hydrogen generated from water splitting is attracting wide attention. Seawater splitting has become a worldwide research focus due to the abundance of seawater resources. Transition metals' compounds have made great progress in seawater electrolysis, making it more practically feasible.