Sodium alanate system for efficient hydrogen storage

Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier in future energy systems. However, hydrogen storage is facing increasing challenges within the development of more environmentally friendly energy systems with high capacity, fast kinetics, favorable thermodynamics, controllable reversibility, especially for applications in vehicles with fuel cells that use proton–exchange membranes (PEMs). In this report, we present a critical review on catalyst modified and nanoconfined NaAlH4, focusing on their thermodynamics and kinetics behaviors. Catalyst is of increasing interest and may lead to significantly enhanced kinetics, higher degree of stability and/or more favorable thermodynamic properties. Thus, catalyst–doped NaAlH4 is expected to strongly contribute by the development of novel catalysts and synthesis methods. Additionally, nanoconfined NaAlH4 may also have a wide range of applications in the PEM fuel cells. Selected catalyst materials, porous scaffold materials, methods for preparation of NaAlH4 systems and their hydrogen storage properties are reviewed. This is the first review report on catalyst modified and nanoconfined NaAlH4.