Materials for hydrogen storage and the Na-Mg-B-H system

This review on materials for hydrogen storage in the solid state gives a brief discussion underlying reasons and driving forces of this specific field of research and development (the why question). This scenario is followed by an outline of the main materials investigated as options for hydrogen storage (the what exactly). Then, it moves into breakthroughs in the specific case of solid state storage of hydrogen, regarding both materials (where to store it) and properties (how it works). Finally, one of early model systems, namely NaBH 4 /MgH 2 (the case study), is discussed more comprehensively to better elucidate some of the issues and drawbacks of its use in solid state hydrogen storage.