University of Hong Kong Develops Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel for Green Hydrogen Production

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have created a novel stainless steel, named SS-H2, capable of withstanding the extreme conditions required for green hydrogen production from seawater. Led by Professor Mingxin Huang, the team discovered that SS-H2 uses a ‘sequential dual-passivation’ mechanism: a traditional chromium oxide layer is reinforced by a manganese-based layer, providing unprecedented corrosion resistance up to 1700 mV. This breakthrough allows SS-H2 to perform similarly to titanium-based materials currently used in electrolyzers but at a fraction of the cost. The innovation could dramatically reduce structural material costs in large-scale hydrogen systems, making green hydrogen more economically viable. While the material is not yet fully commercialized, tons of SS-H2 wire have been produced, and patents have been filed internationally. The research addresses a persistent challenge in seawater electrolysis—corrosion, chlorine side reactions, and electrode degradation—while offering a practical path toward durable, cost-effective renewable hydrogen infrastructure. This work builds on HKU’s ‘Super Steel’ project, which previously developed ultra-strong, anti-COVID-19, and high-performance stainless steels, and represents a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions.