Is mass-scale electrocatalysis of aqueous methanol an energetically and economically viable option for hydrogen production?

초록

The use of primary alcohols (such as methanol) in the production of hydrogen (H2) has been spotlightedas one of the indispensable measures to pursue a greener economy. Here, we address some potentialshortcomings concerning the production of H2 based on aqueous methanol electrolysis in reference tosteam methane reforming (SMR) as a mature commercial technology. After all, is SMR an economicand low-energy route for H2 production? Is it feasible to use methanol to electrolytically generate H2?The liquid-phase methanol-based hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at 335 K is an example of a potentiallyentropy driven reaction (exoergic, even though very endothermic) with a suitable catalyst usingeither ambient or waste heat. Further, would it be more efficient to use methane as a source of hydrogenvia SMR or consume it directly as energy? The suitability of HER is assessed in the context of industrialenergy analysis, thermodynamics, and sustainability.

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