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Yes. Hydrogen can be produced from seawater by electrolysis, but direct seawater electrolysis is still a research challenge rather than a proven, generally superior alternative to treating seawater first and then using a conventional electrolyzer. Salt—especially chloride—complicates the reactions at the electrodes and can damage components. The electricity used also determines much of the process’s cost and emissions, so seawater alone does not make the hydrogen low-carbon.

How electrolysis makes hydrogen

An electrolyzer uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen forms at the cathode, while oxygen is intended to form at the anode. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that the electricity source, its cost, the system’s efficiency, and associated emissions all matter when assessing hydrogen made this way (DOE: Hydrogen Production: Electrolysis).

There are two ways to handle seawater as the water source. In direct seawater electrolysis, seawater enters the electrolysis system without first being desalinated into purified feedwater. In the indirect route, seawater is desalinated or otherwise purified before a conventional electrolyzer uses it. The second route adds treatment equipment and energy use, but limits the electrolyzer’s exposure to salts and other impurities.

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Why salt makes direct electrolysis difficult

Chloride competes with oxygen production

Seawater contains chloride ions. At the anode, reactions involving chloride can compete with the desired oxygen-evolution reaction. That makes it harder to direct the chemistry toward oxygen while managing unwanted chlorine-related reactions and byproducts. Researchers therefore need catalysts and cell designs that remain selective in chloride-rich conditions, not just active in a clean-water laboratory test. A 2024 review discusses these catalyst challenges and research progress (RSC Advances / PubMed Central: Challenges and progress in oxygen evolution reaction catalyst development for seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production).

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Corrosion, deposits and fouling threaten durability

Chloride and other seawater constituents can contribute to corrosion, catalyst degradation, membrane or cell fouling, and mineral deposition. These effects can reduce performance or shorten component life. A marine-energy report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory discusses challenges associated with seawater and marine systems (NREL: Unlocking the Potential of Marine Energy).

Hydrogen purity and system design still matter

A catalyst that performs well in a small experiment does not establish that a full electrolyzer can produce sufficiently pure hydrogen safely, economically, and for long periods. The whole system must control unwanted reactions and byproducts while protecting electrodes, membranes, and other components. Reviews of direct seawater electrolysis emphasize the need for selective catalysts and stable devices (European Commission Joint Research Centre: Hydrogen Production via Direct Seawater Electrolysis; One Earth: Advancing direct seawater electrocatalysis for green and affordable hydrogen).

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Direct versus indirect seawater electrolysis

Factor Direct route Indirect route
Water treatment Does not first desalinate seawater into purified feedwater. Desalinates or otherwise purifies seawater before electrolysis.
Exposure to impurities The cell must operate in contact with chloride and other seawater constituents. Purification reduces the impurity burden reaching the electrolyzer.
Equipment and energy Avoids a separate desalination step, but requires a system designed to handle seawater. A general energy or cost advantage is not established. Adds treatment equipment and energy use; the reviewed evidence does not establish a universally comparable amount.
Durability and byproduct management Must address chloride-related reactions, corrosion, fouling, deposits, and product purity. Reduced impurity exposure eases the burden on the electrolyzer; a comparative durability figure is not stated in the JRC review.
Demonstrated general advantage The JRC’s 2025 review found no research or industrial project demonstrating clear benefits over the indirect route in the evidence it assessed. The established comparison route, but the review does not claim it is best for every application.

The European Commission Joint Research Centre’s literature review, dated January 20, 2025, found no research or industrial project demonstrating clear benefits of direct over indirect seawater electrolysis in the literature it reviewed. It noted that direct electrolysis could still be useful for specific applications. This is a conclusion about the evidence assessed in that review, not proof that no later demonstration exists (JRC review).

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What researchers are trying

Current research explores several ways to improve selectivity and protect the system:

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  • Catalysts intended to favor oxygen evolution over chlorine-related reactions.
  • Corrosion-resistant electrode materials and protective or chloride-blocking layers.
  • Membrane and cell configurations that limit the effects of impurities.
  • System designs that manage seawater constituents and unwanted byproducts.

These are research approaches, not a universal, commercially proven solution. Performance claims need to be read in the context of the study’s electrolyte, cell design, operating duration, and scale; success in one laboratory configuration does not by itself show durable commercial operation. The JRC review and a 2023 review of direct seawater electrocatalysis describe the field’s focus on selective catalysts and stable devices (JRC; One Earth).

Does seawater hydrogen count as low-carbon?

Not automatically. Electrolysis requires electricity, and the emissions associated with making hydrogen depend substantially on how that electricity is generated and on the scope of the emissions assessment. Using seawater rather than freshwater does not change the electricity source. The DOE identifies electricity cost, efficiency, and associated emissions as important considerations for electrolysis (DOE: Hydrogen Production: Electrolysis).

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What this means for practical use

Direct seawater electrolysis is relevant to research into hydrogen production where seawater is available, but the available comparison does not support treating it as the generally better choice today. The route that removes more water impurities has an extra treatment step; the direct route has to manage those impurities inside the electrolysis system. Which is preferable for a particular application depends on the full system’s performance, durability, energy use, costs, product purity, and operating conditions—not simply on whether it draws water directly from the sea.

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