Review of Catalysts, Substrates, and Fabrication Methods in Catalytic Hydrogen Combustion with Further Challenges and Applications

Hydrogen energy as a clean energy source has been widely studied in recent years. Catalytic hydrogen combustion (CHC) can be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and improve safety by burning hydrogen at a lower temperature. This review analyzes the effect of the hetero/homogeneous reaction mechanism, typical catalyst types (noble metal catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, and perovskite oxides), and support materials (zirconium dioxide, titanium dioxide, anodic aluminum oxide, γ-alumina, and silicon carbide) of CHC. The fabrication methods for CHC catalysts, such as impregnation, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, combustion, sol–gel, hydrothermal treatment, and additive manufacturing, are reviewed. A series of challenges in CHC include water poisoning, sulfur poisoning, and durability. Water poisoning was broadly studied, but durability and sulfur poisoning are limitedly explored. The applications of CHC involved power and heat generations. Power generation is depicted as gas turbines and portable power generation, and heat generation is presented as heater and cooking stoves. Moreover, CHC is further applied in safety devices for nuclear power plants and confined spaces. Eventually, research gaps and future direction of the CHC process are concerned and summarized.