Advancements in materials for hydrogen production: A review of cutting-edge technologies

Hydrogen, a clean and versatile energy carrier, has gained significant attention as a potential solution for addressing the challenges of climate change and energy sustainability. Efficient hydrogen production relies heavily on the development of advanced materials that enable cost-effective and sustainable methods. This review article presents a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge materials used for hydrogen production, covering both traditional and emerging technologies. This article begins by briefly introducing the importance of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and various methods used for hydrogen production. This emphasizes the critical role of these materials in enabling efficient hydrogen generation. Traditional methods, such as steam methane reforming, coal gasification, biomass gasification, and water electrolysis, are discussed, highlighting the materials used and their advantages and limitations. This review then focuses on emerging technologies that have shown promise for achieving efficient hydrogen production. Photocatalytic water splitting is explored with an emphasis on recent advancements in semiconductor-based photocatalysts and nanostructured materials for enhanced photocatalysis. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) are examined, discussing high-temperature electrolysis materials and advancements in electrolytes and electrode materials. Biological hydrogen production and chemical looping are also discussed, highlighting the use of microorganisms, bioengineered systems, metal oxides as oxygen carriers, and catalysts for improved hydrogen generation. Advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, have been used to gain insight into the properties and performances of materials. This review concludes by addressing the challenges and prospects in the field of hydrogen production materials. This highlights the importance of the durability, stability, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and integration of materials into large-scale hydrogen pchiroduction systems. This article also discusses the emerging trends and potential breakthroughs that could shape the future of hydrogen production.