Hydrogen Production by Pulsed Water Electrolysis:Principle,Current Technology Status and Future Trends

Pengxiang Zhao, Lijie Wang, Shaoguang Feng, Xuewei Zhang, Hongfei Zhu, Kunyuan Sun, Yang Yu, Miaoting Sun, Xiaoxiao Meng, Jihui Gao, Guangbo Zhao, Wei Zhou

Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2) : 194-209.

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2) : 194-209. DOI: 10.7536/PC20250517
Review

Hydrogen Production by Pulsed Water Electrolysis:Principle,Current Technology Status and Future Trends

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Abstract

Hydrogen energy,as a pivotal clean energy carrier under the carbon neutrality goal,urgently demands breakthroughs in its efficient preparation technology. This paper focuses on pulsed electrolysis for hydrogen production,systematically elucidating the mechanisms of reducing the diffusion layer thickness,accelerating bubble detachment,and enhancing electrode stability through periodic modulation of current/voltage. It reveals the optimization mechanisms of suppressing the bubble shielding effect via pulse modulation and shortening the ion relaxation time using high-frequency pulses. The paper summarizes the influence laws of pulse parameters (waveform,frequency,duty cycle,etc.) on hydrogen production characteristics,compares the application potential of inductive pulses,voltage/current pulses,and fluctuating power electrolysis technologies,and highlights their advantages in adapting to the fluctuating power sources of wind and solar energy (wide power regulation range,suppression of voltage flicker). Despite demonstrating high energy efficiency and robust performance,pulsed electrolysis still encounters bottlenecks such as insufficient electrode impact resistance and unclear multi-parameter coupling mechanisms. Future research should integrate intelligent algorithms for dynamic regulation optimization,develop integrated wind-solar-storage-hydrogen systems,promote the application of high-frequency resonance and low ripple filtering technologies,and accelerate the large-scale production of green hydrogen. This paper provides theoretical support for the advancement of pulsed electrolysis technology and its potential engineering applications.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Principle of hydrogen production by pulse electrolysis of water

2.1 Introduction to hydrogen production technology through water electrolysis

2.2 Analysis of the mechanism for enhancing hydrogen production performance through pulse electroly

3 The influence of pulse parameters on hydrogen production characteristics

3.1 Impact of pulse waveform

3.2 Impact of pulse period,frequency,and duty cycle

3.3 Impact of pulse potential

4 Classification of hydrogen production technology through pulsed electrolysis of water

4.1 Hydrogen production through induced pulse electrolysis of water

4.2 Hydrogen production through electrolysis of water using voltage pulse

4.3 Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water using current pulse

4.4 Power fluctuation in hydrogen production through water electrolysis

5 Wide-power hydrogen production technology through water electrolysis,adaptable to fluctuating wind and solar inputs

5.1 Impact of fluctuation in wind and solar power sources

5.2 Hydrogen production technology based on wind fluctuation power generation

5.3 Photovoltaic fluctuation power generation and hydrogen production technology

5.4 Hydrogen production technology through wind-solar hybrid fluctuating power generation

6 Summary and future outlook

Key words

pulsed electrolysis / hydrogen production by electrolysis of water / energy efficiency optimization / wind and solar volatility / parameter control

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Pengxiang Zhao , Lijie Wang , Shaoguang Feng , et al . Hydrogen Production by Pulsed Water Electrolysis:Principle,Current Technology Status and Future Trends[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(2): 194-209 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20250517

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52476192)
Key Research and Development Program of Heilongjiang Province(2024ZXJ03C06)
Science and Technology Project of China Datang Technology Innovation Co.,Ltd(10002552D24KJZB00017)
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