Potential technology for seawater electrolysis: Anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis

Seawater electrolysis is one of the most ideal technologies to utilize intermittent renewable energy and generate green hydrogen efficiently. This can be utilized in coastal areas where renewable energy sources are abundant. Emerging anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) technology combines the advantages of alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and proton–exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), showing great potential for practical applications in terms of matching with seawater, energy supply mode, and electrolysis cost. In this review, the state of the art, challenges, and application scenarios of various water electrolysis technologies are summarized, and then the promising AEMWE technology is introduced, including the catalytic reactions involved in alkaline seawater conditions, materials design, and electrochemical performance evaluation of key components of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In addition, the influence of the MEA configuration on the electrochemical performance is also discussed. Finally, the key issues of high–performance MEA components are proposed.