Electrocatalytic splitting of low-concentration H₂S in alkaline seawater using cobalt phthalocyanine

There is a significant amount of hazardous and abundant hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) generated from fossil fuel exploration that can be utilized as a feedstock for green hydrogen production. Similarly, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the Black Sea represents a promising potential source for hydrogen generation. In this study, the electrochemical splitting of H₂S is investigated in alkaline electrolysis using a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) catalyst for hydrogen production. Electrolysis performance was evaluated using three-electrode, H-cell, and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) configurations. Experiments were conducted using a 0.1 M Na₂S solution to simulate H₂S formation, and the catalytic response in seawater was compared with other electrolytes. The presence of Na₂S significantly reduced anodic polarization. After heat treatment at 700 °C, the onset potential decreased from 0.53 V to 0.27 V vs. RHE, indicating enhanced catalytic activity. These results highlight CoPc-derived catalysts as promising candidates for efficient hydrogen generation and simultaneous H₂S remediation.