Highly Porous Organic Polymers for Hydrogen Fuel Storage

Abstract

Hydrogen (H ₂) is one of the best candidates to replace current petroleum energy resources due to its rich abundance and clean combustion. However, the storage of H ₂ presents a major challenge. There are two methods for storing H ₂ fuel, chemical and physical, both of which have some advantages and disadvantages. In physical storage, highly porous organic polymers are of particular interest, since they are low cost, easy to scale up, metal-free, and environmentally friendly. In this review, highly porous polymers for H ₂ fuel storage are examined from five perspectives: (a) brief comparison of H ₂ storage in highly porous polymers and other storage media; (b) theoretical considerations of the physical storage of H ₂ molecules in porous polymers; (c) H ₂ storage in different classes of highly porous organic polymers; (d) characterization of microporosity in these polymers; and (e) future developments for highly porous organic polymers for H ₂ fuel storage. These topics will provide an introductory overview of highly porous organic polymers in H ₂ fuel storage.