Hydrogen Storage: Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions

Hydrogen gas can be stored using physical adsorption on various materials, but typically at very low temperatures or high pressures. Alternatively, chemical hydrogen storage materials can be used, where hydrogen atoms are bound covalently and can be released through thermal or catalytic processes. Various solid carriers, such as metal hydrides, borohydrides, alanates, and imides/amides, have been explored, but many face challenges of low storage capacity and difficulty in regenerating the charged fuel. Another approach is using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), which require a suitable catalyst for effective release and selective regeneration of hydrogen under mild conditions. Continued research and development in these storage methods are crucial for advancing the practical applications of hydrogen energy.