On December 12, 2025, Hainan University, working in tandem with the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, unveiled a significant breakthrough in technology. This innovation enables the direct electrolysis of natural seawater to simultaneously produce hydrogen and extract magnesium, achieving the co-production of hydrogen gas and magnesium hydroxide while substantially cutting down on hydrogen production costs.

Traditionally, when electrolyzing seawater, magnesium ions tend to deposit on the electrodes, which can disrupt the electrolysis process and reduce efficiency. However, this new technology tackles this issue head-on. Through a novel electrode design, it effectively prevents magnesium ion deposition. As a result, the equipment can operate stably in natural seawater for over 5,000 hours, achieving efficient production even at room temperature. This is a remarkable feat considering the complex composition of seawater and the challenges it poses to electrolysis.

Experimental data offers compelling evidence of the technology's effectiveness. For every 1 kilogram of hydrogen produced, approximately 15 kilograms of high-purity magnesium hydroxide can be extracted simultaneously. The value of this extracted magnesium hydroxide essentially offsets the cost of hydrogen production. This means that not only is hydrogen being produced in an environmentally friendly manner, but it can also be done at a low cost on a large scale, paving the way for the mass production of green hydrogen.

The significance of this breakthrough extends beyond just the scientific community. It has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector, especially in the quest for sustainable and clean energy sources. The relevant findings of this research have been published in the internationally renowned academic journal Nature Communications, further highlighting its importance and credibility in the global scientific arena.