Strategies of designing electrocatalysts for seawater splitting

Producing hydrogen by water electrolysis is a promising technology in the field of energy conversion. Considering the low reserves of the pure water, hydrogen from seawater electrolysis has more value in practical application. At present, the development of high-efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is the top priority for seawater splitting. Herein, the electrochemical reactions mechanism involved in seawater splitting are systematically summarized. In addition, we sum up the current strategies for preparing highly active and stable electrocatalysts for seawater splitting from the aspects of morphological and structural engineering, heterostructure component modulation, and heteroatom doping. Besides the above discussed content, perspective and challenges of designing electrocatalysts for practical hydrogen production in seawater splitting are also pointed out.