MXenes and MXene-Based Metal Hydrides for Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: A Review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Storage
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Efficient hydrogen storage is crucial for the hydrogen economy, especially for transportation and stationary applications.
• Solid-state hydrogen storage in nanomaterials offers a safe and sustainable pathway.
• Traditional metal hydrides face limitations in meeting practical hydrogen storage targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements (2019-2024) in using MXenes to improve metal hydride hydrogen storage.
• To explore the potential of MXene-metal hydride hybrids for enhanced hydrogen storage.
• To identify challenges and provide recommendations for future research.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature focusing on MXenes and metal hydrides for hydrogen storage.
• Analysis of experimental and theoretical data on MXene-enhanced metal hydride systems.
• Discussion of material properties, performance metrics, and challenges.

Main Results:

• MXenes, in bare or hybrid forms, substantially boost the hydrogen storage capacity and kinetics of various metal hydrides (e.g., MgH2, AlH3, LiBH4).
• MXene-metal hydride hybrids demonstrate superior performance compared to conventional materials.
• Key challenges include reversibility, hydrogen losses, slow kinetics, and thermodynamic barriers.

Conclusions:

• MXene-based materials represent a significant breakthrough in solid-state hydrogen storage.
• Further mechanistic studies are needed to overcome existing challenges and develop cost-effective, efficient, and durable hydrogen storage solutions.
• MXene hybrids offer a promising route towards realizing the goals of the hydrogen economy.