Scientists Believe Seawater Is the Answer to Making Hydrogen Cars Affordable

A team of Stanford chemists has developed a way to convert seawater, which makes up about 97 percent of water on Earth, into hydrogen, which could one day be used to power everything from cars to buildings. https://t.co/cMwBG6BOoA

— Stanford University (@Stanford) March 25, 2019

Hybrid and pure-electric vehicles aren’t the only eco-friendly options that the industry is cultivating. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are a third earth-conscious option.

Until now, hydrogen car technology has been impeded by a major obstacle: finding a cost-effective and sufficient source of hydrogen that doesn’t require releasing more emissions. According to recent research from Stanford scientists, however, the industry might have finally found a way to overcome this obstacle — and it involves seawater. 

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Previously, some researchers had successfully used solar energy to convert fresh water into hydrogen. However, scientists had yet to try this with saltwater. And since the U.S. has a limited fresh-water supply, but an abundant seawater supply, it made sense for the Stanford team to focus on the latter. 

Per Green Car Reports, the salt component of seawater is problematic for conventional electrolysis methods. The salt corrodes the electrolyzer’s anode as it separates hydrogen and oxygen atoms from water. By using a new type of catalyst coating the anode, Stanford researchers were able to extend the longevity of the electrolyzer. This tweak enabled the electrolyzer to run for more than 40 days — even when the water used was three times saltier than regular seawater. 

A brighter future for hydrogen technology

This discovery could potentially revolutionize hydrogen car technology. It introduces the possibility of using solar power and ocean-front plants to produce the hydrogen needed for these vehicles. As more automakers invest in hydrogen fuel-cell technology and countries like China start to focus on fine-tuning this type of vehicle, hydrogen-vehicle production could become a reality faster than was previously thought.  

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News Sources: Green Car Reports, Newsweek

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