A team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology have developed an innovative electrocatalyst named Co-N/S-HCS that demonstrates exceptional activity and stability in seawater electrolysis. The catalyst was designed to address the challenges posed by chloride ions in seawater, which can hinder the effectiveness of catalysts. By optimizing the electronic environment around cobalt atoms, the researchers successfully enhanced the catalyst's resistance to chloride ion corrosion, providing both long-term stability and high activity. The Co-N/S-HCS catalyst features an asymmetric CoN₃S₁ structure that maximizes trifunctional activity, enabling crucial processes like oxygen reduction, evolution, and hydrogen production. The catalyst's superior performance was confirmed in a self-propelled seawater splitting device, where it outperformed existing technologies in terms of cycle stability and hydrogen production rate. The integration of Co-N/S-HCS with Zn-air batteries showcased promising results, offering a greater hydrogen production rate and demonstrating potential for sustainable hydrogen production in regions with limited freshwater resources. The study highlights the significant potential of Co-N/S-HCS not only for hydrogen production but also for applications in desalination and energy storage systems. The researchers envision a future where this innovative catalyst could play a key role in large-scale, sustainable hydrogen production from seawater, contributing to advancements in seawater-based energy options. The findings of the research offer a solid foundation for the development of seawater-resistant catalysts and emphasize the importance of sustainable hydrogen production in meeting global energy demands.