An Assessment of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Activated Carbon Solutions for Sustainable Hydrogen Gas Storage

The pursuit of sustainable energy sources has elevated hydrogen gas as a potential carbon-neutral fuel with high energy content. However, efficient storage and transportation of hydrogen pose considerable challenges. To address these issues, the utilisation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and activated carbon (AC) for hydrogen storage through adsorption has gained substantial attention. This research article offers a comprehensive assessment of hydrogen storage using these materials. The adsorption mechanism, fundamental to hydrogen storage in MOFs, involves hydrogen molecules adhering to the MOF framework's surface and pores via intermolecular forces. MOFs, comprising metal nodes and organic linkers, present high surface area-to-volume ratios and customizable adsorption properties, making them appealing for gas storage. AC, an amorphous porous carbon form, also displays favourable traits for gas storage.