University of Sharjah Develops Breakthrough Technology for Hydrogen Production from Seawater

University of Sharjah Develops Breakthrough Technology for Hydrogen Production from Seawater
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Researchers at the University of Sharjah have created a novel, scalable technology that produces clean hydrogen fuel directly from seawater without requiring desalination, SciTech Daily reported. Published in the journal Small, the study introduces a multi-layered electrode that resists corrosion caused by chloride ions, a common challenge in seawater electrolysis.

This advanced electrode enables industrial-scale hydrogen production with high efficiency, achieving a current density of 1 A cm⁻² at an overpotential of 420 mV and a Faradaic efficiency of 98%. The system operates continuously for over 300 hours without performance loss, thanks to a protective metaborate film that prevents metal dissolution.

The technology eliminates the need for costly and energy-intensive desalination plants, making it ideal for arid coastal regions like the UAE, where freshwater is scarce but seawater and sunlight are abundant. The electrode’s unique design creates a microenvironment that accelerates the oxygen evolution reaction while blocking corrosion.

Researchers are now advancing to pilot-scale testing and aim to develop solar-powered modular hydrogen generators, potentially revolutionizing clean energy production along coastlines worldwide.