{"title":"Innovation trends and evolutionary paths of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction technology: A global patent analysis","authors":"Wenting Jin , Ji Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.wpi.2025.102388","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction has emerged as a key driver of technological innovation and industrial advancement in the hydrogen energy sector. By conducting statistical analysis on patent information in this technology field, we can effectively grasp the trends and directions of technological research and development (R&D), thereby providing a critical basis for scientific policy making and industrial deployment strategies in related fields. Based on search results from the IncoPat database, this study integrates text mining with KeyBERT algorithm, CiteSpace visualization analytics, and Logistic model to conduct a comprehensive investigation from multiple dimensions including patent quantity and quality, R&D hotspots and frontiers, as well as technology lifecycle. The results indicate that: (1) The patented technologies in this field predominantly originate from core innovation clusters in China, Japan, the United States, and South Korea. China maintains an unequivocal dominance in the volume of technological outputs and has made effective strides in catching up with developed countries in terms of patent quality. However, the industrial application of Chinese patents may encounter certain difficulties. In contrast, the technological innovations of the United States and Japan maintain comparative advantages in terms of global influence and market presence. (2) The R&D hotspots in this field are concentrated primarily on topics such as precious metal-based catalysts and transition metal-based catalysts. (3) The evolutionary trajectory of this technology can be delineated into three distinct phases, with each phase featuring distinct R&D focuses and mainstream paths. (4) The technology is currently in a rapid growth phase, with forecasts suggesting it will enter the technological maturity stage by 2026 and the decline stage by 2036.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51794,"journal":{"name":"World Patent Information","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102388"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"World Patent Information","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0172219025000559","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction has emerged as a key driver of technological innovation and industrial advancement in the hydrogen energy sector. By conducting statistical analysis on patent information in this technology field, we can effectively grasp the trends and directions of technological research and development (R&D), thereby providing a critical basis for scientific policy making and industrial deployment strategies in related fields. Based on search results from the IncoPat database, this study integrates text mining with KeyBERT algorithm, CiteSpace visualization analytics, and Logistic model to conduct a comprehensive investigation from multiple dimensions including patent quantity and quality, R&D hotspots and frontiers, as well as technology lifecycle. The results indicate that: (1) The patented technologies in this field predominantly originate from core innovation clusters in China, Japan, the United States, and South Korea. China maintains an unequivocal dominance in the volume of technological outputs and has made effective strides in catching up with developed countries in terms of patent quality. However, the industrial application of Chinese patents may encounter certain difficulties. In contrast, the technological innovations of the United States and Japan maintain comparative advantages in terms of global influence and market presence. (2) The R&D hotspots in this field are concentrated primarily on topics such as precious metal-based catalysts and transition metal-based catalysts. (3) The evolutionary trajectory of this technology can be delineated into three distinct phases, with each phase featuring distinct R&D focuses and mainstream paths. (4) The technology is currently in a rapid growth phase, with forecasts suggesting it will enter the technological maturity stage by 2026 and the decline stage by 2036.
期刊介绍:
The aim of World Patent Information is to provide a worldwide forum for the exchange of information between people working professionally in the field of Industrial Property information and documentation and to promote the widest possible use of the associated literature. Regular features include: papers concerned with all aspects of Industrial Property information and documentation; new regulations pertinent to Industrial Property information and documentation; short reports on relevant meetings and conferences; bibliographies, together with book and literature reviews.