Optimized\nGas–Liquid Transport via Local Flow\nField Management for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Electrochemical water splitting is a key technique for\nsustainable\nhydrogen production, but its efficiency is often compromised by bubble\nformation during electrolysis. In this work, we introduce a new electrolyzer\ndesign that strategically optimizes gas and liquid flow distributions\nto facilitate rapid bubble removal, thereby enhancing the electrochemical\nprocess. By incorporating a hydrophobic and gas-venting layer, our\ndesign significantly shortens the bubble transfer path and reduces\nthe level of accumulation. This advancement results in a voltage reduction\nof more than 50 mV and a decrease in performance fluctuations exceeding\n50% compared with traditional systems. Through detailed optical analyses\nand finite element simulations, we further elucidate the effects of\nthe gas–liquid transport, enabling high-performance electrolysis\nwith a volumetric current density of 333 mA cm<sup>–3</sup> at 1.8 V. These findings underscore the potential of local flow\nfield management in advancing electrolyzer design and other electrochemical\nsystems.