After nearly 6 years of research, HKU scientists created steel that survives 1,700 mV in seawater, potentially replacing titanium parts and cutting structural material costs 40 times for green hydrogen

Green hydrogen has a costly weakness. Its equipment can depend on expensive titanium to survive harsh electrochemical conditions. Scientists at the University of Hong Kong have developed SS-H₂ stainless steel for hydrogen production. It resists severe corrosion in saltwater environments. The material uses two protective surface layers. Researchers say it could cut structural material costs by about 40 times. That could make seawater-based green hydrogen more affordable and scalable.