Materials for the hydrogen sector - Production and conversion

Against a backdrop of growing energy demand, depleting fossil resources and the climate threat posed by greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen is a relevant alternative energy carrier, capable of replacing fossil fuels in the long term and effectively complementing biofuels and electricity in an environmentally-friendly energy mix.

Hydrogen is already widely used in the chemical, steel and petrochemical industries. However, the development of an environmentally-friendly hydrogen economy implies modifying current uses and deploying a range of technologies that are still often in the research or demonstration phase. These technologies involve a wide range of materials, from polymers and steels to ceramics and metal hydrides.

This first section focuses on materials with electrochemical properties used in electrolyzers for hydrogen production and in fuel cells for hydrogen combustion and energy restitution. The specific specifications for each of these two applications are outlined, introducing the selected materials, their main properties and how they are used. Finally, the current challenges specific to the various materials and applications are presented.