Review on Sustainable Biohydrogen Production from Biomass: Recent Developments and Prospects toward a Promising Source

Biohydrogen (bio-H2) production from biomass was a promising sustainable energy solution. This review provided an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in biological methods for bio-H2 production, emphasizing feedstock utilization and process optimization innovations. Critical research gaps were identified, particularly the need for cost-effective biomass pretreatment and improvements in yield efficiency. Biomass sources, such as algae and lignocellulosic materials, offered renewable pathways for hydrogen generation, which was essential for achieving carbon neutrality. Anaerobic fermentation is a practical technology for energy generation and environmental protection. There were still challenges to overcome, such as slashing production costs and improving scale. Production efficiency could be enhanced through innovative biotechnological approaches. This serves the transition to more sustainable energy systems, positioning bio-H2 as an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Furthermore, new pretreatments can be found to improve bio-H2 production from biomass. These findings indicate new research avenues to augment novelty in catalyst development and future biotechnological strategies for long-term process sustainability. Finally, we highlighted the practical implications of this discovery for an emerging bio-H2 industry regarding scalability obstacles and prospective commercialization strategies.