Abstract
Hydrogen is recognized as a possible future energy carrier, which can be produced from renewable energy and water. A major challenge in a future ‘hydrogen economy’ is the development of safe, compact, robust, and efficient means of hydrogen storage, in particular for mobile applications. The present review focuses on light metal boron based hydrides, for which the general interest has expanded significantly during the past few years. Synthesis methods, physical, chemical and structural properties of novel boron based hydrides are reviewed along with new approaches for improving kinetic and thermodynamic properties: (i) anion substitution, (ii) reactive hydride composites and (iii) nanoconfinement of hydrides and chemical reactions. The light metal borohydrides reveal a fascinating structural chemistry and have the potential for storing large amounts of hydrogen. A combination of the different approaches may provide a new route to a wide range of interesting energy storage materials in the future.
DOI Link to Publication