Porous materials for hydrogen storage

Summary

The development of efficient storage materials for hydrogen is important for the viable implementation of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell automobiles. In this review, we summarize progress toward the development of state-of-the-art porous materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks, porous organic polymers, carbon-based materials, and zeolites for hydrogen storage. In particular, we illustrate the fundamental considerations for the targeted design and synthesis of MOFs with better hydrogen storage performance aided by reticular chemistry and a simulation-aid strategy. Additionally, we highlight some progress related to porous-material-based composites with encapsulated hydrides of light elements (HLEs). Finally, we provide an outlook for the future path of porous materials as a viable technology for hydrogen storage, including the discovery of materials with improved gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities at ambient temperatures, the engineering of materials into practical gas vessels, and future commercialization.