Mini-Review of Advancements and Prospects in Coal-Assisted Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production

Coal-assisted water electrolysis (CAWE) technology has garnered significant attention for hydrogen production due to its potential to reduce energy consumption. This review introduces the background and importance of CAWE and analyzes its fundamental electrochemical principles, including direct and indirect oxidation pathways involving redox pairs. The CAWE process requires only 2.19 kWh/m3 compared to >4.1 kWh/m3 for traditional methods, showcasing significant energy savings. The review discusses research progress and challenges in key technologies, such as coal slurry pretreatment, electrode material selection, electrolyte optimization, and waste liquid synergistic processes. Specifically, the complex physicochemical properties of coal, formation of passivation films, energy consumption optimization, and environmental issues require further research and resolution. This work concludes with a summary of the prospects for CAWE technology in improving electrolysis efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating environmental impacts. It proposes future research directions, including enhanced reaction mechanism analysis, catalyst design, system optimization, and large-scale application, to promote commercialization and sustainable development.