A Bird's-Eye View on Polymer-Based Hydrogen Carriers for Mobile Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is a global imperative.
• The hydrogen economy presents a sustainable energy future and a solution to the CO2 crisis.
• Efficient hydrogen storage is critical for a viable hydrogen economy but remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review major polymeric material groups for reversible hydrogen storage.
• To compare polymeric carriers with solid-state hydrogen storage materials.
• To assess the realistic potential of polymer-based hydrogen storage systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of polymeric materials for hydrogen storage.
• Analysis of hydrogen storage and release capabilities of various polymers.
• Comparative study of polymer-based and solid-state hydrogen carriers.

Main Results:

• Polymer-based carriers offer a safer, more compact hydrogen storage method, avoiding high pressures and cryogenic temperatures.
• Current polymer materials show potential for meeting United States Department of Energy targets for hydrogen storage.
• No single optimal hydrogen storage system exists for all stationary and automotive applications.

Conclusions:

• Polymer-based materials are promising candidates for safe and efficient hydrogen storage.
• Further research is needed to identify optimal polymer carriers for diverse applications.
• Understanding storage capacity and release kinetics is key for advancing the hydrogen economy.