Seawater breakthrough: UAE scientists revolutionize hydrogen production
Scientists from the University of Sharjah have developed a multilayer electrode that enables the production of hydrogen from seawater without the need for desalination. This groundbreaking discovery could revolutionize clean energy production in coastal regions.
Researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates have created a new technology that allows hydrogen production from seawater on an industrial scale. "We have developed an innovative multilayer electrode that can extract hydrogen directly from seawater efficiently and sustainably," stated Dr. Tanveer Ul Haq, the lead author of the study. Traditional methods of hydrogen production require clean water, which poses challenges in many regions worldwide.
How does the new technology work?
This technology can significantly reduce hydrogen production costs and increase the availability of clean energy in areas with limited freshwater resources. The research team's results were published in the journal "Small".
The new electrode, developed by the research team, forms a protective and reactive microenvironment that boosts efficiency and prevents damage. According to the researchers, the electrode operates in real seawater, achieving a current density of 1 A/square centimetre at an overpotential of 420 mV, without producing hypochlorite and with excellent operational stability for 300 hours. "This bypasses costly desalination and complex water purification, making green hydrogen production cheaper and more accessible," said co-author Mourad Smari, a research fellow at the Institute of Sciences and Engineering at the University of Sharjah.
What are the benefits of the new technology?
This technology eliminates the need for expensive desalination installations, making green hydrogen production more affordable and accessible. "It’s clean hydrogen produced from the sea," emphasized research team member Dr. Ul Haq. The system generates hydrogen with low energy input, which could transform hydrogen production in coastal regions, particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where freshwater resources are scarce but sunlight and seawater are abundant.
This innovation has already caught the interest of clean energy startups and regional innovation centres. Scientists now plan to move from lab tests to pilot tests to verify the technology in real outdoor conditions.
