Recent progress on heterogeneous catalytic formic acid decomposition for hydrogen production

Hydrogen fuel is considered to be one of the most potential energy sources that can replace fossil fuels in the future. Liquid organic hydrogen carrier formic acid (FA, HCOOH) has been widely concerned in hydrogen production due to its low price, high hydrogen content and the characteristic of easy storage and transportation. The catalyst design and synthesis play an important role in the hydrogen production from FA. The heterogeneous catalysts have become the main focus of research on hydrogen production due to their advantages of more stable, easier separation and higher recycling. In the review, the development of heterogeneous catalysts (reactive metal, catalyst carrier) in catalyzing formic acid decomposition to produce hydrogen are summarized systematacially, the influence of key factors on the overall catalytic hydrogen-producing activity of FA are described in detail. Meanwhile, the review introduces the application of machine learning in catalytic reactions, especially in the strategy of improving the hydrogen production of FA. In the end, the future development trend of hydrogen production from catalytic FA decomposes is prospected. This review can provide a reasonable theoretical basis for designing novel catalysts with high activity and economy in formic acid decomposition to produce hydrogen, and also brings enlightenment for the research direction of formic acid hydrogen production technology.