Hydrogen storage in open framework materials

Abstract

Current methods for storing molecular hydrogen require extremely high pressures or very low temperatures, both of which are expensive and energy intensive. Thus, if hydrogen is to become a practical fuel for mobile applications a more efficient storage system is required. One strategy for on-board hydrogen storage involves utilizing nanoporous metal-organic or covalent organic frameworks as adsorbent materials. A combination of practical and theoretical studies has shown that pore size and enthalpy of adsorption (Qst) are critical to effective hydrogen storage. Here, we present the hydrogen uptake data for a series of open framework materials with high surface areas and highlight successful strategies for increasing Qst values for room temperature H2 storage based on simulations.