Hydrogen from Seawater Electrolysis

ongoing

HySEas introduces an innovative approach to direct seawater electrolysis through the integration of a Bipolar Membrane (BPM), incorporating both a cation exchange layer akin to a proton exchange membrane (PEM) and an anion exchange layer similar to anion exchange membrane (AEM) as well as a water dissociation catalyst layer, within a Bipolar Membrane Water Electrolyser (BPMWE) device. Thus far, BPMWEs have been tested using conventional borrowed components from PEM and AEM water electrolysers. These tests have revealed limitations in terms of both durability and overall performance. Here, the development of the BPMWE is combined with the recovery/reuse of salts and compounds from seawater brine through the development of innovative technological solutions: a) metal ion removal from seawater through direct reduction/photoreduction on oxide particles; and b) oxide particle regeneration through acid treatment to capture and reuse metals. Moreover, the drastic reduction of CRM will be achieved by: a) conducting a mitigation strategy to reduce Ir loading: sputter deposition on powder substrates to deposit the conductive layer of various morphologies between iridium catalyst and TiO2 support; b) using Fe, Ni, Mo oxide catalysts and other high entropy compounds to replace Ir-based catalysts; and c) using metal phosphides, sulphides and carbides (CoP, MoS2, Mo2C, etc.) to replace Pt-based catalysts. Plasma treatment is used to engineer defects and vacancies and increase the active site density on the catalyst surface as well as to promote transport by manipulating particle size and enhanced pore distribution. HySEas also deploys customized computational models via multiphysics simulations, integrating microkinetic and microscopic models into a novel multiscale model of a salty water electrolyser. Finally, extensive stack assessment is conducted in terms of performance and durability.