Carbon cloth electrode produces hydrogen for 800 hours in seawater

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), led by Dr. Ji-Hyung Han, have developed a durable carbon cloth electrode capable of stable hydrogen production from seawater electrolysis for over 800 hours at industrial-level current densities (500 mA/cm²). This breakthrough addresses key challenges in seawater electrolysis, such as corrosion from chloride ions and performance degradation under high current conditions. The team achieved this by applying an optimized acid treatment—immersing carbon cloth in concentrated nitric acid at 100°C within a sealed vessel—to enhance hydrophilicity and enable uniform dispersion of cobalt, molybdenum, and ruthenium ions as catalysts. The electrode, containing only 1% ruthenium by weight, demonstrated a 25% reduction in overpotential compared to conventional catalysts, translating to a 1.3-fold increase in hydrogen evolution efficiency. The electrode maintained its structural integrity and catalytic performance without leaching metals into the electrolyte throughout the extended operation, highlighting its corrosion