Project

H₂transition addresses one of the key challenges associated with ammonia as a hydrogen carrier: the efficient recovery of high-purity hydrogen at reduced energy demand.

Thermocatalytic ammonia decomposition is a technically attractive route because the reaction produces hydrogen and nitrogen without direct formation of carbon-containing products. Nevertheless, conventional ammonia cracking remains constrained by elevated operating temperatures, kinetic limitations at lower temperatures, catalyst stability and the need for downstream hydrogen purification.

H2transition approaches these challenges through the integrated development of advanced nanostructured catalysts and membrane-assisted reactor concepts. The project investigates how catalyst composition, support properties, metal dispersion, morphology and surface chemistry influence activity and long-term stability, while simultaneously developing reactor strategies capable of improving hydrogen yield, separation and purity.

The long-term vision is an intensified ammonia-to-hydrogen process suitable for distributed hydrogen production and future integration with fuel-cell and other clean-energy applications.

Objective 1 — Rational Catalyst Design

Develop active and stable nanostructured catalyst formulations for efficient thermocatalytic ammonia decomposition.

Objective 2 — Structure–Activity Relationships

Determine how active phase, support chemistry, particle size, dispersion, acidity/basicity and metal–support interactions control catalytic performance.

Objective 3 — Reaction Mechanisms & Stability

Identify reaction intermediates, catalytic pathways and catalyst-deactivation mechanisms under realistic operating conditions.

Objective 4 — Hydrogen Purity & Productivity

Maximize H₂ production rate and purity while reducing process-energy requirements.

Objective 5 — Membrane-Reactor Integration

Integrate the optimum catalyst with an H₂-selective membrane and assess an intensified reactor concept for simultaneous reaction and hydrogen separation.

H₂transition develops a fully integrated research ecosystem for clean hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition, combining advanced catalytic engineering with in‑depth understanding of the underlying physicochemical processes. The project brings together catalyst nanoengineering, multidimensional material characterization, reaction‑mechanism elucidation, long‑term durability assessment, hydrogen purification and membrane‑reactor integration within a unified scientific framework.

Through this interconnected approach, H₂transition accelerates the development and optimization of efficient ammonia‑cracking technologies. The project places strong emphasis on achieving low‑temperature and low‑energy operation while sustaining high hydrogen productivity and purity, ensuring compatibility with modern energy systems such as combustion technologies and fuel cells.

Ultimately, H₂transition aims to deliver a new generation of catalytic and reactor solutions that combine energy efficiency, operational reliability and scalability, contributing meaningfully to the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

WP1 — Literature Review & Preliminary Studies (M1–M6)
WP2 — Catalyst Development, Characterization, Performance Evaluation & Optimization (M3–M20)
WP3 — Membrane Reactor Design & Scale-Up Evaluation (M5–M22)
WP4 — Analysis, Documentation & Dissemination (M6–M24)
WP5 — Project Management (M1–M24)

H₂transition is implemented at the Physical Chemistry & Chemical Processes Laboratory (PCCP) of the School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete.

The project is connected to a broader scientific network bringing together complementary expertise in hydrogen technologies, heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, advanced materials, energy systems and ammonia-based hydrogen pathways.

Scientific interactions and collaborative research activities involve researchers from the Institute of GeoEnergy, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Chania, and the Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens.

These scientific interactions support knowledge exchange, joint dissemination activities and complementary research in areas related to the ammonia-to-hydrogen value chain, catalytic conversion processes, hydrogen production and purification, advanced materials and sustainable-energy technologies.

Through this broader research network, H₂transition is positioned within an interdisciplinary scientific environment that connects catalyst development and reaction engineering with hydrogen technologies, energy storage and clean-energy applications.

H₂transition is expected to contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable pathways for hydrogen recovery from ammonia by combining advanced catalyst design with membrane-assisted reactor engineering. By targeting improved catalytic activity and stability, lower operating temperatures, reduced energy requirements, and enhanced hydrogen purity and production rate, the project addresses key technological barriers that currently limit the wider deployment of ammonia cracking. The knowledge generated on catalyst structure–activity relationships, reaction mechanisms, deactivation phenomena and process intensification can support the future development of scalable ammonia-to-hydrogen systems for applications such as fuel cells, mobility, industrial hydrogen supply and energy storage. In parallel, the project strengthens research capacity in hydrogen technologies, heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials and reactor engineering, while promoting scientific collaboration, knowledge transfer and dissemination within the broader transition towards low-carbon energy systems.