IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v228y2026ics1364032125012729.html

Advances in bubble dynamics regulation for water electrolysis hydrogen production: From interfacial design to external-field intensification

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Yuepeng
  • Yu, Fan
  • Shang, Huiyu
  • Yang, Xuesong
  • Zhou, Bobo
  • Li, Zhe
  • Xing, Yaowen
  • Gui, Xiahui

Abstract

Gas bubble dynamics at electrode interfaces during water electrolysis significantly impair hydrogen production efficiency through surface coverage, ohmic polarization, and mass transfer limitations, leading to 7–25 % energy losses. This review systematically examines multiscale strategies for bubble regulation, from interfacial design to external-field intensification. We first analyze the three primary mechanisms of bubble-induced overpotential and integrate a force-balance model at gas-liquid-solid interfaces to elucidate critical bubble detachment conditions. Advanced electrode engineering approaches are then discussed, including wettability modulation (superhydrophilic/superaerophobic modification, roughness engineering) and structural optimization (porous electrodes, bioinspired architectures). External field enhancements (ultrasonic, magnetic, pulsed electric) are comprehensively evaluated, showing 60 % bubble coverage reduction via ultrasonic cavitation and effective detachment in microgravity environments using magnetic fields. Special attention is given to electrochemical nanobubbles, their unique interfacial behaviors, and mitigation strategies. Finally, we outline future research directions emphasizing multiphysics modeling, rapid bubble detachment electrodes, and scalable bubble management for industrial electrolyzers. This work provides a fundamental framework for optimizing bubble dynamics to advance green hydrogen production.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yuepeng & Yu, Fan & Shang, Huiyu & Yang, Xuesong & Zhou, Bobo & Li, Zhe & Xing, Yaowen & Gui, Xiahui, 2026. "Advances in bubble dynamics regulation for water electrolysis hydrogen production: From interfacial design to external-field intensification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:228:y:2026:i:c:s1364032125012729
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.116599
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032125012729
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116599?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jang, Dohyung & Cho, Hyun-Seok & Kang, Sanggyu, 2021. "Numerical modeling and analysis of the effect of pressure on the performance of an alkaline water electrolysis system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    2. Burton, N.A. & Padilla, R.V. & Rose, A. & Habibullah, H., 2021. "Increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production from solar powered water electrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Burton, N.A. & Grant, J.C., 2025. "Increasing the efficiency of water electrolysis with the application of pulsing electric fields," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    4. Cheng, Haoran & Xia, Yanghong & Hu, Zhiyuan & Wei, Wei, 2024. "Optimum pulse electrolysis for efficiency enhancement of hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolyzers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    5. Zhao, Pengcheng & Wang, Jingang & Xia, Haiting & He, Wei, 2024. "A novel industrial magnetically enhanced hydrogen production electrolyzer and effect of magnetic field configuration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    6. El-Nowihy, Ghada H. & Abdellatif, Mohammad M. & El-Deab, Mohamed S., 2024. "Magnetic field-assisted water splitting at ternary NiCoFe magnetic Nanocatalysts: Optimization study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    7. Zhang, Xuewei & Zhou, Wei & Huang, Yuming & Ding, Yani & Li, Junfeng & Xie, Liang & Yu, Yang & Chen, Jiaxiang & Sun, Miaoting & Meng, Xiaoxiao, 2024. "Enhanced hydrogen production enabled by pulsed potential coupled sulfite electrooxidation water electrolysis system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    8. Dongha Shin & Jong Bo Park & Yong-Jin Kim & Sang Jin Kim & Jin Hyoun Kang & Bora Lee & Sung-Pyo Cho & Byung Hee Hong & Konstantin S Novoselov, 2015. "Growth dynamics and gas transport mechanism of nanobubbles in graphene liquid cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, May.
    9. Kaya, Mehmet Fatih & Demir, Nesrin & Rees, Neil V. & El-Kharouf, Ahmad, 2020. "Improving PEM water electrolyser’s performance by magnetic field application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    10. Merit Bodner & Astrid Hofer & Viktor Hacker, 2015. "H 2 generation from alkaline electrolyzer," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(4), pages 365-381, July.
    11. Wang, Mingyong & Wang, Zhi & Gong, Xuzhong & Guo, Zhancheng, 2014. "The intensification technologies to water electrolysis for hydrogen production – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 573-588.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Burton, N.A. & Grant, J.C., 2025. "Increasing the efficiency of water electrolysis with the application of pulsing electric fields," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    2. Lim, Dongjun & Lee, Boreum & Lee, Hyunjun & Byun, Manhee & Lim, Hankwon, 2022. "Projected cost analysis of hybrid methanol production from tri-reforming of methane integrated with various water electrolysis systems: Technical and economic assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Yang, Jingze & Lam, Tsz Yeuk & Luo, Zixue & Cheng, Qiang & Wang, Guibin & Yao, Hong, 2025. "Renewable energy driven electrolysis of water for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    4. Hao Guo & Hyeon-Jung Kim & Sang-Young Kim, 2022. "Research on Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis Using a Rotating Magnetic Field," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Zhang, Tao & Song, Lingjun & Yang, Fuyuan & Ouyang, Minggao, 2024. "Research on oxygen purity based on industrial scale alkaline water electrolysis system with 50Nm3 H2/h," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    6. Hu, Song & Guo, Bin & Ding, Shunliang & Yang, Fuyuan & Dang, Jian & Liu, Biao & Gu, Junjie & Ma, Jugang & Ouyang, Minggao, 2022. "A comprehensive review of alkaline water electrolysis mathematical modeling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    7. Madheswaran, Dinesh Kumar & Vengatesan, S. & Jegadheeswaran, Selvaraj & Thangamuthu, Mohanraj & Togun, Hussein & Duraisamy, Boopathi & Ouyang, Chun & Khan, M. Wasim, 2025. "Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier: A comprehensive analysis of electrolysis efficiency and its potential in sustainable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    8. Risco-Bravo, A. & Varela, C. & Bartels, J. & Zondervan, E., 2024. "From green hydrogen to electricity: A review on recent advances, challenges, and opportunities on power-to-hydrogen-to-power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
    9. Meng, Linjie & Zhao, Zhongkai & Zhou, Wenjun & Shangguan, Zixuan & Cheng, Zijun & Jiang, Xi & Liu, Min & Zuo, Jian & Jin, Liming & Zhang, Cunman, 2026. "Model-based optimization of energy efficiency in alkaline water electrolysis under current fluctuations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 402(PB).
    10. Burton, N.A. & Padilla, R.V. & Rose, A. & Habibullah, H., 2021. "Increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production from solar powered water electrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    11. Fu, Wenming & Cheng, Yoke Wang & Xu, Dequan & Zhang, Yaning & Wang, Chi-Hwa, 2024. "Reaction synergy of bimetallic catalysts on ZSM-5 support in tailoring plastic pyrolysis for hydrogen and value-added product production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 372(C).
    12. Ana L. Santos & Maria-João Cebola & Diogo M. F. Santos, 2021. "Towards the Hydrogen Economy—A Review of the Parameters That Influence the Efficiency of Alkaline Water Electrolyzers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-35, May.
    13. Ying, Zhi & Geng, Zhen & Zheng, Xiaoyuan & Dou, Binlin & Cui, Guomin, 2022. "Improving water electrolysis assisted by anodic biochar oxidation for clean hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    14. Diego Bairrão & João Soares & José Almeida & John F. Franco & Zita Vale, 2023. "Green Hydrogen and Energy Transition: Current State and Prospects in Portugal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, January.
    15. Zhu, Junpeng & Meng, Dexin & Dong, Xiaofeng & Fu, Zhixin & Yuan, Yue, 2023. "An integrated electricity - hydrogen market design for renewable-rich energy system considering mobile hydrogen storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 961-972.
    16. Woong Hee Lee & Young-Jin Ko & Jung Hwan Kim & Chang Hyuck Choi & Keun Hwa Chae & Hansung Kim & Yun Jeong Hwang & Byoung Koun Min & Peter Strasser & Hyung-Suk Oh, 2021. "High crystallinity design of Ir-based catalysts drives catalytic reversibility for water electrolysis and fuel cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    17. Pashchenko, Dmitry, 2023. "Hydrogen-rich gas as a fuel for the gas turbines: A pathway to lower CO2 emission," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    18. Onwuemezie, Linus & Gohari Darabkhani, Hamidreza, 2024. "Oxy-hydrogen, solar and wind assisted hydrogen (H2) recovery from municipal plastic waste (MPW) and saltwater electrolysis for better environmental systems and ocean cleanup," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    19. Vincent Henkel & Lukas Peter Wagner & Felix Gehlhoff & Alexander Fay, 2024. "Combination of Site-Wide and Real-Time Optimization for the Control of Systems of Electrolyzers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, September.
    20. Gómez, Sergio Yesid & Hotza, Dachamir, 2016. "Current developments in reversible solid oxide fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 155-174.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:228:y:2026:i:c:s1364032125012729. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.