Progress, Barriers, and Prospects for Achieving a "Hydrogen Society" and Opportunities for Biochar Technology

The concept of a "hydrogen (H₂) society" is meant to serve as a greener alternative toward fossil fuel utilization and mitigating the climate crisis. However, major challenges concerning sustainability in the production of H₂need to be resolved to fulfill the development of a hydrogen society. Climate change cannot be mitigated while fossil fuels remain the primary source of H₂production. The use of excess renewable energy to produce H₂can also be economically challenging; moreover, difficulties in storage and transportation could render a hydrogen society inviable. Biochar, as a renewable low-cost material, could be the key toward resolving these challenges, by serving as feedstock for steam gasification, as a catalyst or catalyst support for thermochemical or photochemical processes, or as an additive for biochemical processes. This study examines the plausibility of the concept of an "H₂society" and the role of biochar in making this a reality. Biochar helps improve H₂production, because it is an effective catalyst due to its high surface area, porosity, conductivity, and stability. Its high H₂storage capacity could facilitate effective stationary storage and transportation. The role of biochar in an H₂economy is becoming clearer; however, developing effective biochar-based materials for H₂production and storage is necessary.