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A detailed view of reticular materials at the nanoscale
The ability of reticular materials to adsorb hydrogen at low pressures makes them highly efficient compared to compressed gas and cryogenic storage , offering potential breakthroughs in efficient hydrogen storage , transportation , and handling across various applications .
Is hydrogen storage with reticular materials safe ?
Safety is a critical advantage of hydrogen storage based on reticular materials . Unlike compressed gas storage , which involves high-pressure vessels that pose significant safety and jurisdictional challenges , reticular materials operate at low pressures and near-ambient temperatures . Hydrogen stored in reticular materials is adsorbed within the material , reducing the risk of rapid release of gas or violent combustion in the case of a fire or accidental impact .
• Low pressure , low risk : Since reticular materials can store hydrogen at much lower pressures than compressed gas , they eliminate many of the safety and permitting concerns associated with high-pressure systems .
• Comparison : Compressed gas storage involves storing at pressures of up to 700 bar , with the energy content of the compressed gas being equivalent to tons of explosives in some cases . Cryogenic hydrogen storage faces similar risks from rapid boil-off vapor release and vulnerability to mechanical impacts and penetration .
Reticular materials , storing hydrogen in solid , ‘ concrete-like ’ form , by contrast , provide an inherently safer solution for both stationary and mobile hydrogen storage applications , with no need for the elaborate and expensive safety mechanisms required by high-pressure or cryogenic systems .
Cost efficiency of reticular materials
Hydrogen storage based on reticular materials has the potential to dramatically lower the costs associated with hydrogen storage and transportation . The high costs of compressing hydrogen gas to 700 bar or liquefying it to cryogenic temperatures , combined with the significant energy losses of 15 – 45 %, are major economic hurdles for current physically based
22 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 20 | February 2025