A conceptual rendering of how an H2MOF storage tank might appear in the future
Breakthrough in solid-state hydrogen storage using reticular materials
Hydrogen storage remains a key challenge for advancing the hydrogen economy . While current technologies , such as high-pressure gas and cryogenic liquid storage , have served various applications , they face limitations in cost , volumetric and gravimetric efficiencies , and jurisdictional restrictions related to safety . Solid-state hydrogen storage using reticular materials , such as Metal-Organic Frameworks ( MOFs ), offers a promising alternative at low pressures and ambient temperatures without compromising storage capacity . This article explores how hydrogen storage based on reticular materials compares to conventional methods and examines its potential to revolutionize the hydrogen value chain .
By Dr . Neel Sirosh , CTO , H2MOF
Overview of hydrogen storage technologies
Hydrogen storage technologies are pivotal in harnessing hydrogen as a clean energy carrier . Currently , high-pressure gas storage and cryogenic liquid storage dominate the field , each with its own trade-offs in terms of efficiency , safety , and cost . Additionally , metal hydrides are used in some niche applications . We will examine these technologies in comparison with the novel potential offered by solid-state storage based on reticular materials .
Compressed gas storage , the most prevalent method , is widely utilized in on-board fuel storage , ground storage , and gas transportation applications . Hydrogen is stored at pressures of 200 – 700 bar in all-steel , aluminum , or plasticlined carbon composite pressure vessels . Traditional steel vessels , which operate at 200 – 250 bar , are durable but extremely heavy , reducing their viability for applications in mobility and negatively impacting the economics of gas delivery due to limited payload capacity . Steel vessels are also susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement over
20 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 20 | February 2025