Strategic comparison of membrane-assisted and membrane-less water electrolyzers and their potential application in direct seawater splitting (DSS)

Electrocatalytic splitting of water by means renewable energy as the electricity supply is one most promising methods for storing green hydrogen. Although two-thirds earth's surface covered with water, there inadequacy freshwater in parts world. Hence, seawater instead could be a truly sustainable alternative. However, direct faces challenges because complex composition seawater. The composition, and hence, local chemistry may vary depending on its origin, cases, tracking side reactions standardizing customizing catalytic process will an extra challenge. corrosion catalysts competitive due to presence various inorganic organic pollutants create developing stable electro-catalysts. generally involves two-step process, i.e., purification using reverse osmosis then subsequent fresh splitting. this demands two separate chambers larger space, increases complexity reactor design. Recently, have been efforts directly split without step. Herein, we represent recent innovative approaches avoid compare potential application membrane-assisted membrane-less electrolyzers (DSS). We particularly discuss device engineering, propose novel electrolyzer design strategies concentration gradient based microfluidic electrolyzer.