Enhancing LOHC Efficiency: Overcoming Selectivity Challenges in (De)hydrogenation

Early research on Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) predominantly utilized heterogeneous catalysts to study systems like methylcyclohexane/toluene (6.1 wt % theoretical hydrogen storage capacity), cyclohexane/benzene (7.14 wt %), decalin/naphthalene (7.3 wt %), and perhydro-dibenzyltoluene/dibenzyltoluene (6.2 wt %). While companies like Chiyoda Corp. and Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies have successfully commercialized LOHC technologies using methylcyclohexane/toluene and perhydro-dibenzyltoluene/dibenzyltoluene respectively, challenges remain. Improving the selectivity during (de)hydrogenation reactions, which can lead to the formation of unwanted intermediates, is crucial. This presents a significant opportunity for the development of novel and more efficient LOHCs.