Jeju National University Research Team Led by Professor Sangjae Kim Publishes in a World-Leading Scientific Journal
The research team of Dr. Anandhan Ayyappan Saj (first author), a Ph.D. candidate affiliated with the Green Hydrogen Glocal Leading Research Center, Jeju National University (RLRC) and the BK21 Jeju Energy New Industry Education and Research Group, together with Professor Sangjae Kim (corresponding author), has developed a high-performance electrode catalyst capable of significantly improving the stability and durability of green hydrogen production using seawater.
The research findings were published on June 1 in Nano-Micro Letters, one of the world’s most prestigious journals in materials science and nanotechnology. With an Impact Factor (IF) of 36.3, the journal ranks within the top 1% of journals in its field, demonstrating the international significance and innovation of the research.
Seawater electrolysis technology for green hydrogen production has attracted considerable attention as a next-generation clean energy technology because it enables hydrogen production without relying on freshwater resources. However, salts contained in seawater can cause electrode corrosion and performance degradation, making long-term stable hydrogen production difficult. Therefore, securing both high performance and long-term durability has remained a key challenge for the commercialization of seawater electrolysis technology.
To address these issues, the research team developed an electrode catalyst that achieves both high performance and excellent durability under seawater conditions. In particular, an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer incorporating the catalyst demonstrated outstanding durability, maintaining high hydrogen production performance under seawater conditions while operating continuously for more than 500 hours. This achievement is considered a significant step toward improving the economic feasibility and reliability of seawater-based green hydrogen production systems.
The team also employed artificial intelligence-based predictive methods to analyze the long-term stability of the catalyst, demonstrating its potential applicability in real industrial environments. The results are expected to contribute to the design and operational optimization of future large-scale green hydrogen production facilities.
This research is particularly meaningful because it addresses the critical challenges of corrosion and durability in seawater electrolysis technology, thereby accelerating the practical implementation of renewable energy-linked green hydrogen production. The technology is expected to be widely applicable not only in Jeju, where renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power are abundant, but also in green hydrogen production projects being developed in coastal regions around the world.
Professor Sangjae Kim stated, “Hydrogen production using seawater is a transformative technology that has the potential to reshape the green hydrogen industry. This research significantly improves the durability and stability of the seawater electrolysis process and is expected to contribute to the commercialization of large-scale green hydrogen production technologies in the future.”
Research Information
- Research Team Affiliation: School of Energy and Applied Systems Engineering (Major in Mechatronics Engineering), Jeju National University
- Research Centers: Green Hydrogen Glocal Leading Research Center, Jeju National University (RLRC), BK21 Jeju Energy New Industry Education and Research Group
- Paper Title: High Polarity Doping of CoFe Layered Hydroxides: Bifunctional and Corrosion-Resistant Anion Exchange Membrane Seawater Electrolyzers
- Journal: Nano-Micro Letters (IF 36.3, Top 1% JCR Ranking)
- Publication Date: June 1, 2026
Source: NewsNJeju (https://www.newsnjeju.com) / Reporter Dalhwan Hyun
https://www.newsnjeju.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=286084
Jeju National University Research Team Led by Professor Sangjae Kim Publishes in a World-Leading Scientific Journal
The research team of Dr. Anandhan Ayyappan Saj (first author), a Ph.D. candidate affiliated with the Green Hydrogen Glocal Leading Research Center, Jeju National University (RLRC) and the BK21 Jeju Energy New Industry Education and Research Group, together with Professor Sangjae Kim (corresponding author), has developed a high-performance electrode catalyst capable of significantly improving the stability and durability of green hydrogen production using seawater.
The research findings were published on June 1 in Nano-Micro Letters, one of the world’s most prestigious journals in materials science and nanotechnology. With an Impact Factor (IF) of 36.3, the journal ranks within the top 1% of journals in its field, demonstrating the international significance and innovation of the research.
Seawater electrolysis technology for green hydrogen production has attracted considerable attention as a next-generation clean energy technology because it enables hydrogen production without relying on freshwater resources. However, salts contained in seawater can cause electrode corrosion and performance degradation, making long-term stable hydrogen production difficult. Therefore, securing both high performance and long-term durability has remained a key challenge for the commercialization of seawater electrolysis technology.
To address these issues, the research team developed an electrode catalyst that achieves both high performance and excellent durability under seawater conditions. In particular, an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer incorporating the catalyst demonstrated outstanding durability, maintaining high hydrogen production performance under seawater conditions while operating continuously for more than 500 hours. This achievement is considered a significant step toward improving the economic feasibility and reliability of seawater-based green hydrogen production systems.
The team also employed artificial intelligence-based predictive methods to analyze the long-term stability of the catalyst, demonstrating its potential applicability in real industrial environments. The results are expected to contribute to the design and operational optimization of future large-scale green hydrogen production facilities.
This research is particularly meaningful because it addresses the critical challenges of corrosion and durability in seawater electrolysis technology, thereby accelerating the practical implementation of renewable energy-linked green hydrogen production. The technology is expected to be widely applicable not only in Jeju, where renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power are abundant, but also in green hydrogen production projects being developed in coastal regions around the world.
Professor Sangjae Kim stated, “Hydrogen production using seawater is a transformative technology that has the potential to reshape the green hydrogen industry. This research significantly improves the durability and stability of the seawater electrolysis process and is expected to contribute to the commercialization of large-scale green hydrogen production technologies in the future.”
Research Information
Source: NewsNJeju (https://www.newsnjeju.com) / Reporter Dalhwan Hyun
https://www.newsnjeju.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=286084