Modification strategies to improve electrocatalytic activity in seawater splitting: a review

Hydrogen generated by water splitting has been considered as a promising method. In view of the abundant seawater, it is attractive to produce hydrogen from seawater, which serves as electrolyte. However, electrocatalysts with low performance and poor stability for seawater electrolysis limits the large-scale hydrogen production. Recently, great progress has been made in developing efficient seawater electrocatalysts through rational strategies. In this review, the corresponding strategies including morphology engineering, heteroatom doping, defect engineering and interface engineering are summarized. And some influencing factors and perspective suggestions for the modification strategies on seawater-based catalysts are put forward. In all, we hope this review could provide a new understanding for the catalyst fabrication and performance evaluation of seawater-based catalysts.Graphical Abstract