Renewable Hydrogen for Sustainable Energy: Production Mechanisms, Catalytic Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
6 affiliations
- 1Chemistry Department, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- 2Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bayero University Kano, Kano 700282, Nigeria
- 3Physics Department, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz 6803, Yemen
- 5Federal University of Technology, Minna 920102, Nigeria
- 6Et al. Technologies Limited, Gbagada, Lagos 100234, Nigeria
Abstract
The global transition toward sustainable energy systems has intensified interest in renewable hydrogen as a key pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. This review critically examines major renewable hydrogen production routes, including alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC), biomass-based conversion, photoelectrochemical water splitting, and biological processes. Particular emphasis is placed on recent advances in catalytic and electrocatalytic materials and their influence on hydrogen-production efficiency, durability, operating flexibility, cost, and scalability. Noble-metal and non-noble-metal catalyst systems, electrode materials, and emerging catalytic strategies are discussed in relation to their suitability for different hydrogen-production technologies and renewable-energy operating conditions. The review further compares the major production pathways in terms of technological maturity, system efficiency, scalability, and compatibility with intermittent renewable energy. Key limitations associated with catalyst degradation, critical-material dependence, hydrogen storage, infrastructure development, and system integration are critically assessed. Current research gaps include the need for more durable and earth-abundant catalysts, improved long-term performance under realistic operating conditions, and stronger integration between materials development and system-level techno-economic requirements. Overall, this review highlights the importance of linking catalytic innovation with electrolyzer design, renewable-energy integration, infrastructure readiness, and sustainability considerations to enable economically viable and scalable renewable hydrogen production.
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BibTeX
@article{aladeemy2026renewable,
title = {{Renewable Hydrogen for Sustainable Energy: Production Mechanisms, Catalytic Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives}},
author = {Saba A. Aladeemy and Ismail Babatunde Adefeso and Amjad Aldaej and Amani M. Alansi and Adebayo Adekunle Rasheed and Abdullah M. Aldawsari and Mai M. A. Hassan Shanab and Idris K. Popoola and Talal F. Qahtan},
journal = {Catalysts},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/catal16110938},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/16/11/938},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Renewable Hydrogen for Sustainable Energy: Production Mechanisms, Catalytic Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
AU - Saba A. Aladeemy
AU - Ismail Babatunde Adefeso
AU - Amjad Aldaej
AU - Amani M. Alansi
AU - Adebayo Adekunle Rasheed
AU - Abdullah M. Aldawsari
AU - Mai M. A. Hassan Shanab
AU - Idris K. Popoola
AU - Talal F. Qahtan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Catalysts
DO - 10.3390/catal16110938
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/16/11/938
AB - The global transition toward sustainable energy systems has intensified interest in renewable hydrogen as a key pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. This review critically examines major renewable hydrogen production routes, including alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC), biomass-based conversion, photoelectrochemical water splitting, and biological processes. Particular emphasis is placed on recent advances in catalytic and electrocatalytic materials and their influence on hydrogen-production efficiency, durability, operating flexibility, cost, and scalability. Noble-metal and non-noble-metal catalyst systems, electrode materials, and emerging catalytic strategies are discussed in relation to their suitability for different hydrogen-production technologies and renewable-energy operating conditions. The review further compares the major production pathways in terms of technological maturity, system efficiency, scalability, and compatibility with intermittent renewable energy. Key limitations associated with catalyst degradation, critical-material dependence, hydrogen storage, infrastructure development, and system integration are critically assessed. Current research gaps include the need for more durable and earth-abundant catalysts, improved long-term performance under realistic operating conditions, and stronger integration between materials development and system-level techno-economic requirements. Overall, this review highlights the importance of linking catalytic innovation with electrolyzer design, renewable-energy integration, infrastructure readiness, and sustainability considerations to enable economically viable and scalable renewable hydrogen production.
SN - 2073-4344
ER -