Methane pyrolysis for hydrogen production: navigating the path to a net zero future

The global push to keep global warming to less than 1.5 °C, will require us to quickly adopt zero-emission energy carriers. Hydrogen, a versatile energy vector, is pivotal in this transition, especially for sectors that are challenging to electrify. Methane pyrolysis is emerging as a promising route for producing hydrogen with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of methane pyrolysis, and explore its potential to contribute to a net-zero future. Current hydrogen production methods, including steam methane reforming and water electrolysis, are also discussed in terms of efficiency, emissions, and costs for comparison with methane pyrolysis. The review then delves into the various technologies under development for methane pyrolysis, categorizing them into catalytic and non-catalytic routes. Key aspects such as reactor design, catalyst performance, and economic viability are critically examined. We also analyze the importance of the carbon co-product produced in the process, and its market potential. Finally, by evaluating industrial activities around methane pyrolysis, this paper underscores its role in the global energy transition, emphasizing the requirements to overcome current challenges and achieve large-scale deployment.