On the Enhancement of Molecular Hydrogen Interactions in Nanoporous Solids for Improved Hydrogen Storage

The need for a transition toward sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources seems to be very important nowadays. Hydrogen is being investigated as an alternative choice to fossil fuels for future transportation needs. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in storing sufficient amounts of hydrogen in porous materials. In particular, nanostructured materials can bind H-2 with adequate strength required for adsorptive storage. In this Perspective, an analysis of the types of interactions between molecular hydrogen and the host material is performed, supported by illustrative examples from the literature. Guidelines for the enhancement of hydrogen interaction with the material's pore structure and novel directions for designing materials with higher storage performance are proposed.