Advanced technologies and materials for hydrogen production from glucose: A review of current strategies

Abstract

Glucose, the most abundant monosaccharide derived from biomass, is a promising feedstock for sustainable hydrogen production. This review critically evaluates advanced thermochemical, photocatalytic, electrochemical, and biological strategies for glucose-to-hydrogen conversion. We emphasize a crucial paradigm shift towards integrated biorefineries, where coupling H 2 evolution with the selective co-production of value-added chemicals maximizes carbon utilization and economic viability. By systematically analyzing performance metrics, we demonstrate that direct technological comparisons are frequently invalid due to inconsistent system boundaries and denominators. Through a systematic analysis of performance indicators, we demonstrate that direct technological comparisons are often not valid due to inconsistencies in system boundaries and denominators, as well as the lack of comprehensive technical-economic analyses (TEA) and life-cycle assessments (LCA). Transitioning these promising laboratory-scale concepts to commercial scale requires standardized, system-level sustainability evaluations, complete carbon balances, and long-term stability testing under industrially relevant conditions.