Catalytic role of graphene in green hydrogen production

Centre for Nanoengineering and Advanced Materials, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: chikau@uj.ac.za

Abstract

This comprehensive study aims at analyzing graphene-based technologies in enhancing hydrogen production via three methods including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and plasma-assisted reforming. Graphene stands out as an excellent catalytic material due to its exceptional attributes which include large surface area, exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, adjustable electronic properties and outstanding mechanical strength. The research explores graphene’s contributions to hydrogen evolution through three main strategies including lowering energy barriers, escalation of active sites and enhanced electrical charge transport. The study also focuses on graphene’s performance when functionalized with metal catalysts and heteroatoms, enhancing its capability in charge separation and absorption of light during photocatalysis. The application of plasma to graphene improves catalytic reaction in hydrogen production with improved resistance to energy consumption. Large-scale industrial adoption of this technology remains restricted in terms production cost, synthesis scalability and environmental safety issues. The research suggests an outlook for enhancing production technologies, improving process sustainability, and tackling scale-up technology to boost graphene’s incorporation into green and effective hydrogen energy production.