Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3805

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Energy Technology and Renewable Sources Department (TERIN)—ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Piazzale Enrico Fermi, 1, Località Granatello, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: hydrogen production and storage, reforming; gasification; propane dehydrogenation; structured catalysts
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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Energy Technology and Renewable Sources Department (TERIN)—ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
Interests: PEM/AEM electrolysis; proton exchange membrane fuel cells; anion exchange fuel cells; desulphurization; heterogeneous catalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catalysis is a phenomenon that affects most industrial processes and is involved in regulating biological processes. Catalysts are used in most industrial processes, which concern the production of important chemical products, such as ammonia and methanol, which are also involved in converting energy sources. Global warming is triggering climate changes that could cause a series of damages to the environment and humans. The objective set at a global level is to achieve the so-called "carbon neutrality", which can only be achieved through the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, adopting renewable hydrogen, obtained with low carbon emissions, can contribute to decarbonization cost-effectively. However, the transition to the hydrogen economy presents several challenges, among which production, transportation, and storage are closely interconnected. The low volumetric density limits the use of hydrogen in transport applications; therefore, as an alternative, hydrogen carriers, including H2O, LHOC, NH3, bio-CH4, etc., could overcome this limitation.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research papers, reviews, and short communications focusing on the catalytic processes for hydrogen storage and release. Catalysts for hydrogen carriers production and decomposition processes are a strategic objective in the energy transition and the subject of this Special Issue.

Dr. Marco Martino
Dr. Giovanni Di Ilio
Dr. Valentina Naticchioni
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hydrogen
  • fuel cell
  • water splitting, MOF
  • LHOC
  • biofuel
  • reforming
  • hydrogasification
  • metal hydrides

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 4977 KiB  
Article
In Situ Reinforced g-C3N4/CoO/CoP Ternary Composite for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Production
by Yanan Han, Zhaohui Wang, Xiuyuan Yang, Zhongjun Li and Yike Li
Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040315 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
To meet the growing demand for renewable energy, developing efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic materials is crucial. Specifically, designing photocatalysts with high charge separation efficiency and abundant hydrogen production active sites remains a key challenge for practical applications. In this study, a carbon nitride [...] Read more.
To meet the growing demand for renewable energy, developing efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic materials is crucial. Specifically, designing photocatalysts with high charge separation efficiency and abundant hydrogen production active sites remains a key challenge for practical applications. In this study, a carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based ternary photocatalyst has been constructed for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production without the need for precious metal cocatalysts. CoO nanoparticles were loaded onto the surface of g-C3N4 via in situ thermal decomposition. Subsequently, a series of g-C3N4/CoO/CoP ternary composites were successfully prepared using a direct one-step phosphorization method. Under optimized conditions, the g-C3N4/CoO/CoP catalyst exhibits a hydrogen evolution activity of 1277.9 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is 4 times higher than that of g-C3N4/CoO (with g-C3N4 alone showing no hydrogen evolution activity). Its performance is comparable to that of the commonly used Pt cocatalyst. The performance improvement may be attributed to the tight bonding of N-P bonds, which effectively promotes the transport of photogenerated carriers, while the increased loading of CoP provides more active sites. The results offer a promising strategy for designing efficient and low-cost photocatalytic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release)
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13 pages, 1911 KiB  
Article
On the Modeling of Continuous H2 Production by Sorption-Enhanced Steam Methane Reforming
by Linbo Yan, Ziyue Jia, Yang Liu, Liang Wang, Jianye Shi, Mingyuan Qian and Boshu He
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030246 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 636
Abstract
To continuously produce blue hydrogen from methane efficiently, a dual fluidized bed reactor was designed, and the corresponding kinetic model was built with the commercial Aspen Plus software v2006 and user-defined FORTRAN routine. To prove the reliability and accuracy of the kinetic model [...] Read more.
To continuously produce blue hydrogen from methane efficiently, a dual fluidized bed reactor was designed, and the corresponding kinetic model was built with the commercial Aspen Plus software v2006 and user-defined FORTRAN routine. To prove the reliability and accuracy of the kinetic model in this work, the model predictions were compared against reported experimental data from similar devices. Then, sensitivity analyses were implemented to fully investigate the characteristics of the designed reactor. The effects of reforming temperature (TREF), calcination temperature (TCAL), steam to carbon mole ratio (RS/C), calcium to carbon mole ratio (RC/C), catalyst to sorbent mass ratio (mC/S) and the residence time (tR) on the produced H2 dry mole fraction (FH2), CH4 conversion rate (CCH4), carbon capture rate (CCO2), and the reactor efficiency (ER) were comprehensively analyzed. It was found that, at the optimal operating conditions (TREF = 650 °C, RS/C = 5.0, RC/C = 3.0, tR = 60 s, and mC/S = 3.0), CCH4 can reach 96%, CCO2 can reach 77.4%, FH2 can reach 94.3%, and ER can reach 67% without heat recover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release)
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12 pages, 2424 KiB  
Article
Iron-Based Alumina-Supported Catalysts for Clean Hydrogen Production from Ammonia
by Wasim Ullah Khan, Achmad Ferdiansyah Pradana Putra, Hamad AlMohamadi and Mohammad M. Hossain
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030242 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 663
Abstract
This work presents the potential of various iron-based catalysts, with an iron content between 10 and 30 wt%, supported on alumina that were explored for pure hydrogen production from ammonia decomposition reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that major diffraction peaks associated [...] Read more.
This work presents the potential of various iron-based catalysts, with an iron content between 10 and 30 wt%, supported on alumina that were explored for pure hydrogen production from ammonia decomposition reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that major diffraction peaks associated with the alumina support and iron oxide were found along with fractions of iron aluminate. The reduction profiles from temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) showed that the extent of reduction, number of reducible species, and iron oxide interaction with alumina varied with an increase in iron oxide content, from 10 to 30 wt%, such that an increase in iron oxide loading promoted easier reduction, enhanced reducibility, and improved number of reducible species. Temperature-programmed desorption profiles using hydrogen and nitrogen showed that an increase in iron content increased the amount of hydrogen desorbed; however, nitrogen desorption exhibited a decreasing trend. These factors influenced catalytic activity results and an increase in iron content increased the ammonia conversion. Kinetic data also showed that a higher iron content (30 wt%) demonstrated the lowest apparent activation energy of 48.2 kJ/mol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release)
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19 pages, 4495 KiB  
Article
Effect of Sm2O3 Doping of CeO2-Supported Ni Catalysts for H2 Production by Steam Reforming of Ethanol
by Carlos Andrés Chirinos, Sichen Liu, Vicente Cortés Corberán and Luisa María Gómez-Sainero
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020131 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 715
Abstract
Hydrogen is a priority energy vector for energy transition. Its production from renewable feedstock like ethanol is suitable for many applications. The performance of a Ni catalyst supported on samaria-doped ceria in the production of hydrogen by the reforming of ethanol is investigated, [...] Read more.
Hydrogen is a priority energy vector for energy transition. Its production from renewable feedstock like ethanol is suitable for many applications. The performance of a Ni catalyst supported on samaria-doped ceria in the production of hydrogen by the reforming of ethanol is investigated, adding Sm2O3 to CeO2 in molar ratios of 1:9, 2:8, and 3:7. A CeO2-supported Ni catalyst was also evaluated for comparative purposes. The supports were prepared by the coprecipitation method and Ni was incorporated by incipient wetness impregnation to obtain catalysts with a Ni/(Ce+Sm) molar ratio of 4/6. The catalysts were characterized by a nitrogen adsorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Increasing Sm2O3 content leads to a more homogeneous distribution of Sm2O3 and Ni particles on the support, and higher oxygen mobility, favoring the catalytic properties. The catalyst with a Sm2O3/CeO2 molar ratio of 3/7 showed outstanding behavior, with an average ethanol conversion of 97%, hydrogen yield of 68%, and great stability. The results suggest that the main route for hydrogen production is ethanol dehydrogenation, followed by steam reforming of acetaldehyde, and acetone and ethylene formation are promoted by increasing Sm content in the outer surface of the catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release)
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16 pages, 3477 KiB  
Article
CO Management for Hydrogen Processes Through a Catalytic Oxidation Mechanism on Dual-Doped Perovskites with Tuned Co and Ni Ratios
by Yuri Ko, Heesu Kim, Seulgi Kim, Chanmin Lee, Sang Soo Lee, Hyun-Seog Roh, Jungho Shin and Yukwon Jeon
Catalysts 2025, 15(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15010045 - 6 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 913
Abstract
In hydrogen processes, managing CO emissions and removal by catalytic oxidation is crucial during H2 production, storage/transportation, and use, ensuring the efficiency and safety of hydrogen systems and contributing to more sustainable energy solutions. Perovskite-structured transition metal oxide catalysts have been widely [...] Read more.
In hydrogen processes, managing CO emissions and removal by catalytic oxidation is crucial during H2 production, storage/transportation, and use, ensuring the efficiency and safety of hydrogen systems and contributing to more sustainable energy solutions. Perovskite-structured transition metal oxide catalysts have been widely studied in various energy and environmental applications due to their extensive compositional modifications and electronic adjustments, facilitating catalytic behavior. Here, Ce-based perovskite catalysts with dual active metal doping at varying Co and Ni ratios are investigated to understand their structural and redox properties in CO oxidation. The reaction mechanism involves CO adsorption, oxygen activation, and redox cycling, confirming catalytic turnover. In situ DRIFTS analysis reveals real-time surface transformations with catalytic activity, which vary with Co and Ni doping ratio. Relatively, CO adsorption on Co3+ dominates the low-temperature activity, whereas Ni contributes to the efficiency at elevated temperatures. LCCNTxy (La0.7Ce0.1CoxNiyTi0.6O3) with x = 0.3 and y = 0.1 exhibits the highest performance, achieving T10 above 40 °C and the fastest T90 at 230 °C. This study highlights the compositional tuning in dual-doped perovskites and complementary roles of Co and Ni in CO oxidation for developing efficient industrial catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Hydrogen Storage and Release)
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