Wastestreams valorization in hydrogen production: the hydrolysis of ammonia borane

The transition toward a sustainable hydrogen economy requires the development of technologies that simultaneously improve hydrogen production efficiency and enhance resource circularity. Among chemical hydrogen carriers, ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃) has attracted considerable attention because of its exceptionally high hydrogen content (19.6 wt%) and its ability to release hydrogen under mild conditions through catalytic hydrolysis. Nevertheless, the widespread implementation of this technology is hindered by the significant water demand associated with the reaction and the environmental burden related to the use of high-purity water. This work explores the valorization of industrial wastestreams as alternative reaction media for ammonia borane hydrolysis, transforming low-value effluents into functional resources for hydrogen generation. Drawing on recent advances in catalytic hydrolysis and circular economy principles, the study demonstrates that selected agro-food wastewaters, particularly dairy by-products, can effectively replace deionized water without compromising hydrogen productivity. The presence of naturally occurring organic compounds and dissolved salts is shown to influence reaction kinetics, catalyst stability, and hydrogen evolution, while simultaneously reducing freshwater consumption and wastewater disposal requirements. The integration of waste-derived reaction media with ammonia borane hydrolysis represents a promising strategy for coupling hydrogen production with industrial symbiosis and waste management. Furthermore, preliminary life cycle considerations indicate that replacing conventional water with industrial effluents can substantially decrease the environmental footprint of hydrogen generation, especially in terms of water depletion and wastewater treatment impacts. This approach contributes to the development of decentralized, resource-efficient hydrogen systems aligned with the principles of green chemistry and circular economy. The proposed framework highlights the potential of combining advanced hydrogen carriers with wastestream valorization to create more sustainable pathways for future hydrogen production technologies.