Advances in hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of biomass oxygenated derivatives

Hydrogen is an environmental-friendly and renewable energy source and an important form of energy storage. The development and utilization of hydrogen energy can not only solve two major problems of energy scarcity and environmental pollution caused by the massive use of fossil fuels, but also help to optimize the energy structure from non-renewable source to clean and renewable source of energy. Among those hydrogen production technologies, aqueous phase reforming of biomass derivatives is an attractive way for the effective generation of hydrogen and fine utilization of biomass, which is a high-value and less polluted resource. Aqueous phase reforming of biomass derivatives with wide range of sources and high hydrogen content enjoy high yield of hydrogen and relatively mild reaction conditions. In this paper, a detailed summary of hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of different sources is provided. The research progress in hydrogen production by aqueous phase reforming of biomass derivatives in recent years is reviewed and discussed, and the catalytic reaction mechanisms and the effect of catalyst properties are summarized and presented. The current challenges and future developments in this research area are briefly prospected as well.