Chapter 12 - MXenes and their composites: a promising material for hydrogen storage

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuels and the related environmental issues have stimulated intensive interest in the search for renewable and environmentally friendly alternative energy resources. Recently, hydrogen (H2) has been introduced as a clean, sustainable, and renewable energy resource that can satisfy these needs. A suitable H2 storage system with the ability to quickly charge and discharge H2 is essential for practical applications of H2 in clean energy. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides (MXenes) are excellent new inorganic hybrid nanomaterials because of their large specific surface-area-to-volume ratio, superior biocompatibility, environmental benignity, high metallic conductivity, and good hydrophilic property. These outstanding characteristics have made MXenes one of the best aspirants for H2 storage. This chapter reviews both the preparation, characterization, and use of MXene-based composites for H2 storage and computational and theoretical studies of H2 storage.