Synthesis and engineering of porous metal-organic frameworks to store hydrogen

Hydrogen energy is a clean and efficient renewable energy with water as its only combustion by-product, and the research on hydrogen energy has also attracted extensive attention in the world industry and academia. Despite the gradually extensive usage of hydrogen, the efficient storage of hydrogen remains a bottleneck, which hinders its further large-scale application. As a volatile fuel, hydrogen needs to be stored safely and efficiently. Porous metal-organic frameworks persist in high specific surfaces, high pore volume, and modifiable pore structure, which shows broad application prospects in gas storage, especially hydrogen storage. To explore how to design MOFs to improve their hydrogen storage performance, this paper introduces various synthesis methods for MOFs. The strategies for engineering the MOFs and improving their hydrogen storage capacity are comprehensively summarized. The enlarged specific surface area and enhanced combining enthalpy of MOFs are decisive factors for achieving better hydrogen storage performance. Compared with high-pressure compressed hydrogen and low-temperature liquid hydrogen, MOF may become the alternative next-generation mainstream hydrogen storage technology in accomplishing safe and efficient hydrogen storage.