Alagappa University Review Finds Rare Earths Could Boost Green Hydrogen Performance?But Commercial Scale Remains the Test

Highlights

• A review of 150+ studies finds rare earths can enhance hydrogen production, separation, and storage across multiple technology pathways.
• Lanthanum-modified MoS₂ showed 5.2x higher hydrogen-evolution performance, while a neodymium composite achieved 9.5x the baseline generation rate.
• Most results remain laboratory-scale; cost, durability, supply chain, and industrial scalability are still unresolved challenges.
• Rare earths in hydrogen systems typically act as dopants or promoters, meaning even large-scale deployment may create only incremental but strategic demand.
• Recycling and diversified processing of rare earths are identified as essential components of any viable green hydrogen supply chain.