Advancing hydrogen storage: critical insights to potentials, challenges, and pathways to sustainability

Research in green hydrogen production is advancing through photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, but storage remains a challenge. Promising hydrogen carriers, such as methanol, ammonia, formic acid, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and metal hydrides, face issues like low hydrogen content and high energy demands. This review highlights innovations in hydrogen storage, focusing on carrier synthesis and photocatalytic hydrogen release for sustainable, energy-efficient solutions. Advancing catalysts, reactors, lifecycle assessments, and economic feasibility is crucial. Hybrid approaches and augmented intelligence are essential for developing cost-effective, high-efficiency storage systems, driving progress toward a sustainable hydrogen economy.