Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Kübra Al; Aysel Kantürk Figen

doi:10.14744/cetj.2025.0003

Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive overview of dibenzyltoluene (DBT)-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems, a promising technology for the safe, efficient, and scalable storage and transportation of hydrogen. Owing to their high thermal and chemical stability, low toxicity, and compatibility with existing energy infrastructure, DBT and its fully hydrogenated form (H₁₈-DBT) are among the most advanced candidates for industrial LOHC applications. Despite these advantages, several technical challenges remain, including high dehydrogenation temperatures (>300 °C), catalyst deactivation (coke formation and sintering), and slow molecular diffusion within porous supports. Recent progress in catalyst design — particularly through the development of bimetallic catalysts (e.g., Pd–Ni) and nanostructured supports — has significantly improved reaction efficiency and cycle stability. This review critically assesses the current state of DBT-based LOHC systems, highlights ongoing advancements, and identifies future research directions needed to overcome existing limitations and enable the commercial-scale deployment of this technology within a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Keywords

Thanks

Kübra AL expresses her gratitude to TUBITAK-BIDEB (2211-A) for the doctoral fellowship.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Environmentally Sustainable Engineering

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Kübra Al ^*
0000-0001-5201-5245
Türkiye

Aysel Kantürk Figen
0000-0002-0930-9704
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 21, 2025

Submission Date

June 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 3 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.14744/cetj.2025.0003

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26UM57FF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Al, K., & Kantürk Figen, A. (2025). Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Clean Energy Technologies Journal, 3(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.14744/cetj.2025.0003

AMA

1.Al K, Kantürk Figen A. Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Clean Energy Technol J. 2025;3(1):30-38. doi:10.14744/cetj.2025.0003

Chicago

Al, Kübra, and Aysel Kantürk Figen. 2025. “Dibenzyltoluene-Based Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Systems: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives”. Clean Energy Technologies Journal 3 (1): 30-38. https://doi.org/10.14744/cetj.2025.0003.

EndNote

Al K, Kantürk Figen A (August 1, 2025) Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Clean Energy Technologies Journal 3 1 30–38.

IEEE

[1]K. Al and A. Kantürk Figen, “Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives”, Clean Energy Technol J, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 30–38, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.14744/cetj.2025.0003.

ISNAD

Al, Kübra - Kantürk Figen, Aysel. “Dibenzyltoluene-Based Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Systems: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives”. Clean Energy Technologies Journal 3/1 (August 1, 2025): 30-38. https://doi.org/10.14744/cetj.2025.0003.

JAMA

1.Al K, Kantürk Figen A. Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Clean Energy Technol J. 2025;3:30–38.

MLA

Al, Kübra, and Aysel Kantürk Figen. “Dibenzyltoluene-Based Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Systems: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives”. Clean Energy Technologies Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, Aug. 2025, pp. 30-38, doi:10.14744/cetj.2025.0003.

Vancouver

1.Kübra Al, Aysel Kantürk Figen. Dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Clean Energy Technol J. 2025 Aug. 1;3(1):30-8. doi:10.14744/cetj.2025.0003