Recent advances and remaining challenges of nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage applications

Abstract

The rapid and extensive development of advanced nanostructures and nanotechnologies has driven a correspondingly rapid growth of research that presents enormous potential for fulfilling the practical requirements of solid state hydrogen storage applications. This article reviews the most recent progress in the development of nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage technology, demonstrating that nanostructures provide a pronounced benefit to applications involving molecular hydrogen storage, chemical hydrogen storage, and as supports for the nanoconfinement of various hydrides. To further optimize hydrogen storage performance, we emphasize the desirability of exploring and developing nanoporous materials with ultrahigh surface areas and the advantageous incorporation of metals and functionalities, nanostructured hydrides with excellent mechanic stabilities and rigid main construction, and nanostructured supports comprised of lightweight components and enhanced hydride loading capacities. In addition to highlighting the conspicuous advantages of nanostructured materials in the field of hydrogen storage, we also discuss the remaining challenges and the directions of emerging research for these materials.