Key Findings
A research team at the University of Sharjah has developed a catalyst capable of splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen with increased corrosion resistance and lower energy requirements. In stress tests using simulated seawater, the catalyst operated at high output for approximately 80 hours without loss of performance. The findings were published in the journal Chemical Communications and publicized by the university on October 26, 2026.
Technical Details
The catalyst utilizes a combination of three relatively inexpensive and widely available materials: nickel hydroxide, cerium oxide, and phosphate. This composition avoids the use of rare and costly metals such as iridium or platinum. Technical advantages include:
- Structural Morphology: The material forms small, tightly packed, pyramid-shaped nanostructures, providing a larger active surface area compared to plain nickel hydroxide.
- Selectivity: The addition of cerium oxide and phosphate makes the catalyst more selective for oxygen evolution, reducing the production of toxic chlorine and other byproducts caused by chloride ions.
- Durability: The combined system exhibits significantly less corrosion than versions lacking either cerium oxide or phosphate.
Background and Context
Standard water electrolysis typically requires purified water, which is costly to produce and scarce in many regions. While seawater is abundant, chloride ions typically degrade metal catalysts and interfere with the oxygen-evolution reaction. This research addresses the practical bottleneck of using untreated or lightly treated seawater to avoid the infrastructure burden of desalination.
Significance and Outlook
The use of abundant materials makes this catalyst more realistic for industrial-scale manufacturing than many current alternatives. While Dr. Tanveer Ul Haq notes that 80 hours of stability is short of industrial requirements and the technology is not yet a commercial product, it serves as a documented step toward scalable green hydrogen production. Such a development is particularly relevant for coastal industrial facilities and island nations seeking to decarbonize sectors like shipping, steelmaking, and heavy trucking using renewable electricity.
Source: https://igrownews.com/university-of-sharjah-latest-news/
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