Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Renewable Sources

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogen is recognized as a promising and versatile energy vector. It can be produced from fossil fuels, water, and biomass via different methods. Today, hydrogen production in the industrial scale is mainly from the reforming of natural gas, which is not sustainable and renewable. Biomass can be used as an alternative feedstock for hydrogen production not only because it is renewable, but also because it is a CO₂ neutral energy source. Biomass-derived compounds, such as ethanol, glycerol, and butanol, can be used in aqueous phase or steam reforming for hydrogen production. On the other hand, the fast biomass pyrolysis followed by the steam reforming of bio-oil is also an attractive route for hydrogen production, aligned to the perspective of an integrated biorefinery. Biogas, produced by anaerobic digestion of biomasses or organic wastes, is another attractive alternative for renewable hydrogen production. In order to progress toward the industrial implementation of these processes for H₂ production, the development of highly active catalysts is essential. Moreover, the deactivation of catalysts by coke deposition is one of the most important challenges of these processes. This Special Topic on “Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Renewable Sources” aims to present new advances in the development of catalysts for renewable production of hydrogen. High-quality research studies and reviews dealing with the synthesis and characterization of catalysts for hydrogen production from biomass, as well as catalyst deactivation, are particularly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Mariana de Mattos V. M. Souza
Prof. Dr. Giovanni Esposito
Topic Editors