Recent progress on ammonia cracking technologies for scalable hydrogen production

Abstract

The global energy transition necessitates the development of technologies enabling cost-effective and scalable conversion of renewable energies into storable and transportable forms. Green ammonia, with its high hydrogen storage capacity, emerges as a promising carbon-free hydrogen carrier. This article reviews recent progress in industrially relevant catalysts and technologies for ammonia cracking, which is a pivotal step in utilizing ammonia as a hydrogen storage material. Catalysts based on Ru, Ni, Fe, Co, and Fe–Co are evaluated, with Co-based catalysts showing exceptional potential for ammonia cracking. Different reactor technologies and their applications are briefly discussed. This review concludes with perspectives on overcoming existing challenges, emphasizing the need for catalyst development, effective reactor design, and sustainable implementation in the context of the energy transition.