Biomass-to-Hydrogen Conversion: Fundamentals, Technologies and Performance Trade-offs

Guoying Pan; Xuebin Li; Shihao Wei; Kai Chen; Rongxiang Yang

doi:10.23977/mpcr.2026.060106

Biomass-to-Hydrogen Conversion: Fundamentals, Technologies and Performance Trade-offs

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DOI: 10.23977/mpcr.2026.060106 | Downloads: 1 | Views: 124

Author(s)

Guoying Pan ¹, Xuebin Li ¹, Shihao Wei ¹, Kai Chen ¹, Rongxiang Yang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ PLA Joint Logistics Support Force University of Engineering, Chongqing, 401331, China

Corresponding Author

Rongxiang Yang

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen is attracting increasing attention as a low-carbon energy carrier, but its environmental benefits depend strongly on the production pathway. Biomass provides a renewable feedstock for hydrogen production while enabling the utilization of agricultural residues, forestry wastes, algae, and organic wastes. Major biomass-to-hydrogen routes include gasification, pyrolysis–reforming, hydrothermal gasification, dark fermentation, photo-fermentation, photobiological conversion, and microbial electrolysis. These technologies differ substantially in reaction mechanisms, feedstock requirements, hydrogen productivity, energy demand, and technological maturity. This review examines the fundamental mechanisms of biomass-to-hydrogen conversion and summarizes recent advances in major thermochemical, biological, and bioelectrochemical routes. Particular emphasis is placed on the trade-offs among hydrogen yield, productivity, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. The analysis indicates that technology selection should be tailored to feedstock characteristics, with thermochemical routes generally favored for dry biomass and hydrothermal or biological pathways offering advantages for wet and organic-rich feedstocks. Future development will depend on integrated biomass utilization and carbon management.

KEYWORDS

Biomass; Hydrogen production; Biohydrogen; Gasification; Fermentation; Hydrothermal conversion; Biomass valorization

CITE THIS PAPER

Guoying Pan, Xuebin Li, Shihao Wei, Kai Chen, Rongxiang Yang. Biomass-to-Hydrogen Conversion: Fundamentals, Technologies and Performance Trade-offs. Modern Physical Chemistry Research (2026) Vol. 6, No.1, 36-48. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/mpcr.2026.060106.

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Biomass-to-Hydrogen Conversion: Fundamentals, Technologies and Performance Trade-offs

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Affiliation(s)

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ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

CITE THIS PAPER

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