Progress in catalysts for hydrogen storage/release in MBT/DBT based LOHCs: a review

Abstract

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) technology is based on the inverse process of storing hydrogen in unsaturated organic liquids by complete hydrogenation reactions and releasing hydrogen by corresponding dehydrogenation reactions. Monobenzyltoluene (MBT) and dibenzyltoluene (DBT) have a theoretical hydrogen storage capacity of 6.2 wt% and excellent physicochemical properties for transporting and storing hydrogen under complex conditions. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress of catalysts used in MBT and DBT hydrogen storage/release processes, focusing on the key factors affecting catalyst activity from several aspects, such as metals, supports, and promoters.