Metal hydrides for energy storage

Abstract

Problem of hydrogen storage is a key point for the extensive use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Metal hydrides provide a safe and very often reversible way to store energy that can be accessed after hydrogen release and its further oxidation. To be economically feasible, the metal or alloy used for hydrogen storage has to exhibit high hydrogen storage capacity, low temperature of the hydrogen release, and be low cost. Unfortunately, among many metals and alloys reacting with hydrogen, there is no such a material that meets all the necessary criteria. In recent years, many efforts have been made aiming to optimize the characteristics of metal hydrides for energy storage, and this chapter provides a brief review of the most important achievements in this field.