Towards sustainable hydrogen systems: Bio-based materials for production, sensing, and storage

Hydrogen is a fundamental alternative energy carrier and a key enabler of a sustainable energy future. It can be generated from various primary energy resources using diverse production technologies. Most hydrogen is produced through thermocatalytic reforming and gasification processes, primarily natural gas, with other sources, including heavy oils, naphtha, and coal. Recent advancements have emphasized sustainable and environmentally friendly hydrogen production, mainly through biomass as a renewable feedstock. Biomass offers key benefits such as abundance, renewability, and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel-based methods. Pyrolysis, gasification, and fermentation are used to convert biomass into hydrogen-rich syngas or biohydrogen. In addition to production, bio-based materials are crucial in hydrogen sensing and storage technologies. Carbon-rich materials and biopolymers derived from biomass show promise for efficient hydrogen storage, while biosensors and nanocomposites are advancing hydrogen detection with greater sensitivity and reliability. These developments underscore the potential of biomass-derived materials to address global energy challenges and support a sustainable hydrogen economy. This review highlights recent progress in using bio-based materials for hydrogen production, sensing, and storage, demonstrating their critical role in shaping the future of renewable energy systems.