Formation Mechanism and Inhibition Strategy of Cathode Alkali Scale in Seawater Direct Electrolysis System

Junshu Yuan; Wei Zhou; Yang Yu; Xingxing Wang; Yuming Huang; Xiaoxiao Meng

doi:10.7536/PC241113

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Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (8) : 1142-1155. DOI: 10.7536/PC241113

Review

Formation Mechanism and Inhibition Strategy of Cathode Alkali Scale in Seawater Direct Electrolysis System

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Abstract

Hydrogen energy is regarded as an ideal energy carrier for the future. Traditional hydrogen production through fossil fuel reforming fails to fundamentally address carbon emission issues. Direct seawater electrolysis has emerged as a promising hydrogen production technology with significant prospects. Compared to conventional pure-water electrolysis systems，natural seawater exhibits a more complex chemical composition and induces additional side reactions during electrolysis，thereby imposing higher requirements on electrode materials and electrolyzer structural design. The chlorine evolution reaction （CER） at the anode and calcium/magnesium ion precipitation at the cathode constitutes two critical challenges in direct seawater electrolysis. While substantial research has been reported in recent years regarding the mechanisms and suppression strategies of CER，comparatively fewer studies have systematically addressed the fundamental mechanisms and inhibition approaches for cathodic calcium/magnesium deposition. Practical hydrogen production processes require particular attention to electrode performance degradation caused by such inorganic precipitates，including increased mass transfer resistance and reduced electrolysis efficiency. This review initiates from the formation mechanisms of calcium/magnesium precipitation on cathode surfaces，elaborates on the fundamental principles and technical challenges of direct seawater electrolysis，and critically summarizes recent advances in suppression strategies against cathodic inorganic deposition. Furthermore，perspectives on future research directions for seawater electrolysis technology are provided，emphasizing the need for comprehensive investigations into electrode-electrolyte interfaces and scalable system optimization.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Principle of hydrogen production by seawater electrolysis

2.1 Principle of cathode hydrogen evolution reaction

2.2 Principle of anodic oxygen evolution reaction

3 Problems and challenges in producing hydrogen from seawater electrolysis

4 Formation mechanism and inhibition method of alkaline scale of cathode in seawater by direct electrolysis

4.1 Formation mechanism of cathode alkaline scale

4.2 High performance HER catalyst

4.3 Electrode protective coating

4.4 Regulation of local reaction conditions in seawater

4.5 Polarity reversal

4.6 Design of electrolytic cell and electrolytic system

5 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

seawater electrolysis / hydrogen / cathode / scale inhibition strategy

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Junshu Yuan , Wei Zhou , Yang Yu , et al . Formation Mechanism and Inhibition Strategy of Cathode Alkali Scale in Seawater Direct Electrolysis System[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2025, 37(8): 1142-1155 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC241113

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