Emerging trends in biomass-derived porous carbon materials for hydrogen storage

To address the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions, hydrogen has emerged as a "zero-emission" energy source with vast potential in diverse sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and electricity generation. However, the realization of a hydrogen economy hinges on the development of safe and stable technologies and materials for hydrogen storage and transport. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in hydrogen storage systems, with a particular focus on porous materials. Notably, porous carbon materials derived from biomass waste have garnered attention due to their exceptional qualities. These include abundant and easily accessible raw materials, simplified production processes, adjustable characteristics, cost-effectiveness, low mass density, high specific surface area and porosity, structural diversity, and sustainable regeneration. These attributes position them as promising candidates for further exploration in hydrogen storage devices, particularly for achieving high H2 uptake capacities. The feasibility of utilizing both plant- and animal-based biomass porous carbons is examined, encompassing activated porous carbons, heteroatom doped porous carbons, and their composites, as pivotal components for the development of porous carbon storage devices. The synthesis and characterization of each form, along with their respective hydrogen storage capacities, are highlighted. While each material exhibits promise, it is important to note that they do present certain technological drawbacks. Addressing these limitations through further research and development is crucial to unlocking their full potential for future applications in the burgeoning hydrogen economy.