Werner Grunwald

Carbon nanostructures: an efficient hydrogen storage medium for fuel cells

Abstract In the push for renewable energy and cleaner fuels, hydrogen is a ideal candidate — at least, when the issues of how it can be stored safely and cheaply are resolved. This article examines the current research focus of industry and research institutions alike on the utilization of carbon nanostruMures as a hydrogen storage medium. However, the outcome of experimental results to date indicates anything but a clear path to fuel cells based on hydrogen stored in carbon nanostructures. Although the concept seemed promising at the outset, a review of publications in a project sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Education & Research (BMBF) in Germany has been unable to reproduce any of the high-capacity results. In view of todays knowledge, it is unlikely that carbon nanostructures can store the required amount of hydrogen. In any case, this calls into doubt whether carbon nanostructures would have any advantage over high-pressure tank storage.