Green hydrogen from alkaline water electrolysis: bridging the gaps between laboratory research and industrial applications

Green hydrogen, generated through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, holds immense potential for achieving climate neutrality. Among the various water electrolysis technologies, the alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) is the most mature and widely adopted in industry. However, its efficiency is limited by the low performance of its Ni-based electrodes. While numerous high-performance electrocatalysts have been meticulously designed and demonstrated in laboratory settings using three-electrode systems, their adoption in practical AWE systems remains rare. This disconnect arises from the overlooked gap between laboratory research and industrial application. In this perspective, we identify and analyze three critical gaps between these two domains and offer strategic recommendations to bridge them, paving the way for more effective implementation of advanced electrocatalysts in industrial AWE.