Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed a new stainless steel alloy called SS-H2 that could significantly reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen. The material is designed to withstand extreme corrosion in environments like seawater, which is a promising feedstock for electrolysis — the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. The breakthrough lies in a «sequential dual-passivation» strategy: in addition to the standard chromium oxide layer, SS-H2 forms a second protective layer based on manganese at around 720 millivolts. This dual protection allows the steel to endure potentials up to 1700 millivolts in chloride-rich environments — a level that would typically destroy conventional stainless steel. Scientists were initially surprised because manganese is traditionally thought to reduce corrosion resistance. The team estimates that replacing expensive titanium components (often coated with precious metals like gold or platinum) with SS-H2 could cut structural material costs by approximately 40 times. The research team has already applied for patents, and production of SS-H2 wire is underway in collaboration with Chinese manufacturers.
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