A review on 2D materials: unveiling next-generation hydrogen storage solutions, advancements and prospects

Clean and efficient energy has become the foremost objective of human sustainable development. Hydrogen energy, recognized as a green and efficient energy source, has emerged as a focal point worldwide. So far, commonly used hydrogen storage methods pose safety concerns, such as compressing hydrogen into gas cylinders with high-pressure and extremely low-temperature liquefaction. Therefore, the solid hydrogen storage method has received significant attention. 2D materials seek more attention than other solid-state materials due to their astonishing properties, such as wide surface area, layered morphology, magnificent electrical properties, high thermal stability, and tunable interlayer spacing. These outstanding properties make 2D materials a wonderland for hydrogen storage. Many emerging 2D materials have not been explored experimentally but theoretically reveal impactful results for hydrogen storage. To the best of our knowledge, there is no comprehensive review article on 2D materials for hydrogen storage applications. This article presents a comprehensive review of the various 2D materials used for hydrogen storage, such as graphene, MXene, h-BN, borophene, phosphorene, TMDs, aluminene, silicene, etc. The various parameters which influence the hydrogen storage profile of the 2D materials are also discussed. Ultimately, the current significant challenges and future research directions are addressed insightfully to make 2D materials viable for hydrogen storage-based technologies.