Storage of hydrogen by physisorption on carbon and nanostructured materials

Nanoporous materials such as high surface area activated carbons (AC), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed as storage media for hydrogen. In this paper we discuss the use and limitations of physisorption as a storage technology for hydrogen. Currently physisorption of hydrogen on undoped carbon nanostructures and MOFs falls short of the DOE targets for vehicular applications. Meeting these targets will require qualitative changes to the sorption process beyond structural optimization.