Advances in liquid organic hydrogen carriers: developing efficient dehydrogenation strategies

In pursuit of global carbon neutrality, countries are intensifying their efforts to harness clean energy sources. Hydrogen emerges as a superior alternative to traditional fossil fuels and plays a crucial role in the global energy shift. Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) systems are lauded for their high hydrogen storage capacity, ease of handling, and safe and efficient transportation, positioning them as effective solutions for extensive hydrogen storage and international distribution. Nevertheless, the dehydrogenation of hydrogen-rich LOHCs is slow, requiring high temperatures and substantial energy inputs. Addressing these challenges by reducing energy demands and improving dehydrogenation rates is essential for advancing LOHC technology. This paper comprehensively examines various LOHC systems, focusing on the selection of carriers and dehydrogenation catalysts, and their dehydrogenation efficacy. It also highlights our recent contributions in photocatalytic LOHC and outlines future research directions to enhance LOHC technology.