A team from Chung-Ang University in Seoul and Qingdao University of Science and Technology has unveiled a ruthenium-based nanocatalyst capable of producing hydrogen directly from seawater, addressing one of the critical bottlenecks in sustainable hydrogen generation.
Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, yet most production today relies on fossil fuels, emitting substantial carbon dioxide. Electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, offers a zero-emission alternative but has historically depended on freshwater resources. With oceans accounting for 97 percent of global water, seawater represents a virtually limitless feedstock. However, high chloride concentrations corrode electrodes, reducing efficiency and limiting operational lifespan—a challenge that has prevented large-scale adoption.
The newly developed Ru nanocatalyst, reported in Advanced Functional Materials on August 7, 2025, is designed with a crystalline–amorphous heterostructure that significantly enhances chloride resistance. It demonstrated 37 times higher activity than commercial platinum catalysts in seawater electrolysis. In laboratory tests, the catalyst operated at just 15 mV overpotential at 10 mA cm⁻² and maintained stability for 250 hours in alkaline media. Simulated seawater tests showed only an 8 mV performance drop after 100 hours, markedly outperforming conventional Pt/C and Ru/C catalysts.
The catalyst’s effectiveness stems from nitrogen-doped carbon-supported Ru nanoclusters produced via g-C3N4-mediated pyrolysis. This process created crystalline–amorphous junctions that resist chloride corrosion, while ultrafine Ru dispersion, averaging 2.27 nm, maximizes electrochemical efficiency. The design overcomes slow hydrogen evolution kinetics and electrode degradation, longstanding hurdles in real-world seawater applications.
Experts highlight the broader implications of this advance. Direct seawater electrolysis could reduce dependence on freshwater, lower hydrogen production costs, and expand global capacity for green hydrogen. It aligns with international decarbonization goals, supporting cleaner fuel for industrial, transport, and power applications.
This development also signals a shift in the materials landscape for hydrogen production. Platinum has long been the industry benchmark, but innovations like Ru nanocatalysts demonstrate that tailored nanostructures can outperform traditional materials in challenging environments. If scaled, such technology could transform hydrogen from a niche low-carbon option to a widely accessible, ocean-fed energy source.
By unlocking seawater as a feedstock, the Ru-based nanocatalyst positions hydrogen production for a new phase of scalability and economic viability, potentially altering global clean energy strategies and infrastructure planning.
