Due to its high energy density and non-polluting combustion, hydrogen has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for meeting future energy demands and realising a C-free world. However, the wider application of hydrogen is restricted by issues related to the generation, storage, and utilisation. Hydrogen production using steam reforming leads to CO₂ emissions, storage of hydrogen requires extreme conditions, and utilisation of hydrogen needs to be highly efficient. Solid materials, can play significant roles in hydrogen sector as these materials are appropriate for the effective generation, storage, and utilisation of hydrogen. Their physical, chemical, thermal, and electronic properties can be easily manipulated to enhance their efficiencies in all three areas. In this review, various materials are described for the photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic production, physisorption- and chemisorption-based storage, and utilisation of hydrogen in fuel cells; moreover, chemical and ammonia syntheses and steelmaking have been comprehensively discussed. Detailed insights and relevant comparisons are provided to demonstrate the efficacies of the abovementioned materials in the hydrogen sector. This broad overview of materials development will promote the hydrogen economy and inspire researchers and policymakers to appreciate the roles of materials and invest more in their research and development.

由于其高能量密度和无污染燃烧，氢已成为满足未来能源需求和实现无碳世界的最有希望的候选者之一。然而，氢的更广泛应用受到与产生、储存和利用相关的问题的限制。使用蒸汽重整制氢会产生 CO ₂排放，氢的储存需要极端条件，氢的利用需要高效。固体材料可以在氢领域发挥重要作用，因为这些材料适用于氢的有效产生、储存和利用。它们的物理、化学、热和电子特性可以很容易地被操纵，以提高它们在所有三个领域的效率。在这篇综述中，描述了用于光催化、电催化和光电催化生产、基于物理吸附和化学吸附的储存以及氢在燃料电池中的利用的各种材料；此外，还全面讨论了化学和氨合成以及炼钢。提供了详细的见解和相关比较，以证明上述材料在氢领域的功效。这种对材料开发的广泛概述将促进氢经济，并激发研究人员和政策制定者重视材料的作用，并加大对材料研发的投资。