Nanostructured advanced materials for hydrogen storage

Abstract It continues to be necessary to identify the most suitable hydrogen-storage materials for optimizing the fuel tank for H2 fuel-cell vehicles. In this context, the current chapter reviews a few potential hydrogen-storage materials that correspond to various categories: carbon nanostructures, metal-organic frameworks, binary hydrides, complex hydrides, and reactive hydride nanocomposites. Although several interesting high capacity hydrides can be identified across these categories, the current analysis clarifies that presently no metal hydride system has managed to reach the capacity versus performance target. Nonetheless, recent research breakthroughs have laid a firm basis for potential future commercial success in this area. For example, by nanoconfinement strategies, the thermodynamics of high capacity hydride systems can be mimicked and reaction routes can be modified. Throughout this chapter, much emphasis is given to advanced nanostructures and their potential adoption to create nanoconfined metal hydrides for vehicular application.