Electrolysis of low-grade and saline surface water

Wenming Tong, Mark Forster, Fabio Dionigi, Sören Dresp, Roghayeh Sadeghi Erami, Peter Strasser (), Alexander J. Cowan () and Pau Farràs ()
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Wenming Tong: National University of Ireland Galway
Mark Forster: University of Liverpool
Fabio Dionigi: Technical University Berlin
Sören Dresp: Technical University Berlin
Roghayeh Sadeghi Erami: National University of Ireland Galway
Peter Strasser: Technical University Berlin
Alexander J. Cowan: University of Liverpool
Pau Farràs: National University of Ireland Galway

Nature Energy, 2020, vol. 5, issue 5, 367-377

Abstract: Abstract Powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, marine, geothermal and wind, generation of storable hydrogen fuel through water electrolysis provides a promising path towards energy sustainability. However, state-of-the-art electrolysis requires support from associated processes such as desalination of water sources, further purification of desalinated water, and transportation of water, which often contribute financial and energy costs. One strategy to avoid these operations is to develop electrolysers that are capable of operating with impure water feeds directly. Here we review recent developments in electrode materials/catalysts for water electrolysis using low-grade and saline water, a significantly more abundant resource worldwide compared to potable water. We address the associated challenges in design of electrolysers, and discuss future potential approaches that may yield highly active and selective materials for water electrolysis in the presence of common impurities such as metal ions, chloride and bio-organisms.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-0550-8

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