An alternative platform of solid-state hydrides with polymers as composite/encapsulation for hydrogen storage applications: Effects in intermetallic and complex hydrides

Abstract

Hydrogen energy proved the remarkable benefits from the perspective of future energy needs and environmental concerns. However, the existing challenges in hydrogen energy technologies, mainly hydrogen storage need to be overcome. In hydrogen storage systems, metal hydrides are highly suffered by the protic species and oxygen because of their reactivity in ambient conditions, leading to surface contamination and affecting the hydrogen sorption behaviors. Moreover, the hydrogen storage in metal hydrides can be hindered by impurities such as CO and CO2 in hydrogen gas. The new concepts of hydrides with polymers are vital for overcoming the hydrides’ contamination-related issues. This comprehensive review spotlight primarily on the alternative ways to avoid the contamination of hydrides with polymers. The researchers worldwide developed different concepts of polymer-hydrides (intermetallic and complex hydrides) systems, mainly composites and polymer encapsulation methods, to avoid contamination from the air/moisture/gas impurities and improve hydrogen sorption properties in hydrides. Interestingly, selective gas properties of polymers with hydrides show tremendous advantages because of their selective permeability of hydrogen, which influences the easier path for hydrogen diffusion to form the hydrides through the polymer matrix and prohibit the contamination of hydride materials from the other gases/protic species. Notably, this review bridges the understanding between the polymers and hydrides (intermetallic, complex and reactive hydride composite) for hydrogen storage systems.