Chapter 20: Commercialization Status of Electrocatalysis, Photocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis Processes

Hydrogen is a clean, energy dense and renewable fuel. Producing hydrogen through an economically feasible and potentially scalable path is of great interest. The highly sustainable methods for hydrogen production are electrolysis, photocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis, all of which have advantages and disadvantages associated with transition of laboratory-scale processes to the commercial scale. This chapter discusses the commercial status of the electrolysis, photocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis processes. To begin, the chapter discusses conventional methods of hydrogen production, such as steam methane reforming, partial oxidation, and coal gasification, and then goes on to discuss the commercial status of electrocatalytic hydrogen production and its challenges, economic viability, and competitiveness. Furthermore, the commercial status of the photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis processes are also discussed.