Plasma-based technologies for sustainable hydrogen production: A data-driven bibliometric

Abstract. The quest for sustainable hydrogen production has intensified in the past decade, driven by the global energy transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen-based alternatives. This urgency necessitates the exploration of innovative technologies beyond traditional methods. Therefore, this study pioneers a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the potential of plasma-based technologies for sustainable hydrogen production. Methodologically, the systematic data adheres strictly to the PRISMA 2020 framework. The Shiny App of the Bibliometrix R package is used to uncover the performance analysis and science mapping visualization of the bibliometric dataset. The findings revealed 581 published documents following database merging, with 152 records excluded by automated tools and another 152 through screening with PRISMA. This study is of great interest to academic and industrial relevance, as evidenced by 277 documents with annual growth rate (22.57%), authors’ contributions (n = 1,185), co-authorship (30.32%), and average citation rate (n = 23). Notably, microwave plasma emerges as the most dominant technology for hydrogen production from natural gas reforming, achieving a 65% volumetric yield among non-thermal plasma variants, alongside warm plasma (48%) and thermal plasma (67%). Collaborative efforts between China and Australia in energy policy research emphasize the importance of international partnerships in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The emerging research trends in plasma gasification, water splitting, and hydrogen evolution reactions, signal a paradigm shift towards more sustainable, efficient hydrogen production techniques. Ongoing research is poised to enhance efficiency and environmental sustainability, contributing vitally to a net-zero emission future.