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Heterogeneous catalysis for the production of LOHCs from plastic Waste: Enabling circular hydrogen solutions

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  • Arumugam, Senthil Murugan
  • Vijay, Vandit
  • Bohre, Ashish

Abstract

Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) are promising for safe and reversible hydrogen storage, yet their large-scale adoption is constrained by costly catalysts and harsh operating conditions. While chemo-catalytic conversion of plastic waste into arenes and cycloalkanes has recently emerged as a dual solution for plastic pollution and hydrogen storage, a systematic evaluation of heterogeneous catalysts in this context is lacking. This review addresses this gap by critically examining catalyst design strategies, structure–property–function relationships, and mechanistic insights relevant to LOHC production from plastic waste. Unlike prior reviews centred on pyrolysis or conventional hydrogenation, we highlight advances in active-site engineering and durability optimization, outline persistent challenges, and propose directions for integrating waste valorization with sustainable hydrogen storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Arumugam, Senthil Murugan & Vijay, Vandit & Bohre, Ashish, 2026. "Heterogeneous catalysis for the production of LOHCs from plastic Waste: Enabling circular hydrogen solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:229:y:2026:i:c:s1364032125013073
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.116634
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