Materials Research Directions Toward a Green Hydrogen Economy: A Review

A constellation of technologies has been researched with an eye toward enabling a hydrogen economy. Within the research fields of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization in fuel cells, various classes of materials have been developed that target higher efficiencies and utility. This Review examines recent progress in these research fields from the years 2011-2021, exploring the most commonly occurring concepts and the materials directions important to each field. Particular attention has been given to catalyst materials that enable the green production of hydrogen from water, chemical and physical storage systems, and materials used in technical capacities within fuel cells. The quantification of publication and materials trends provides a picture of the current state of development within each node of the hydrogen economy.

Automated summary

This Review examines recent progress in the research fields of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization in fuel cells from the years 2011-2021, exploring the commonly occurring concepts and important materials directions in each field. The focus is on catalyst materials enabling green hydrogen production, as well as the current state of development within each node of the hydrogen economy.