An advanced bibliometric analysis and future research insights on safety of hydrogen energy

This paper primarily revolves around the safety of hydrogen energy, utilizing bibliometric methods for visual analysis and offering insights into future research directions. A total of 8283 research papers focusing on hydrogen safety were analyzed in the past thirty years from the period of 1992 to 2022. The analysis covered diverse aspects, including the countries of publication, affiliations of authors, frequently cited journals, research hotspots, keywords, and future trends. The findings of this research indicate a growing prominence of studies related to hydrogen safety. Among the top 10 countries with the highest number of publications, China ranks first with 2414 research papers. Among the Total Link Strength (TLS) indicator, the United States, Germany, and China rank first, second, and third, indicating that they have extensive collaborative experiences internationally. The International Journal of Hydrogen Energy stands out with the highest publication count, totaling 931 articles. The research hotspots in the early, middle, and later stages have focused on hydrogen storage safety, hydrogen combustion and explosion safety, hydrogen self-ignition (including flame propagation), and hydrogen embrittlement, respectively. These trends suggest a continuous progression in understanding and addressing safety aspects in the field of hydrogen research. However, the understanding of mechanisms of hydrogen autoignition is still limited. There is an urgent need to further strengthen research on prevention and control measures related to hydrogen self-ignition. Furthermore, researchers also need focus on both quantity and quality, enhance international cooperation, and facilitate cross-disciplinary advancements in hydrogen safety.