Complex Hydrides as Hydrogen Storage Materials

If our energy system is transformed to a hydrogen economy, the storage of hydrogen is one of the biggest challenges. All presently available solutions are unsatisfactory with respect to a number of different points. Complex hydrides, especially sodium alanate, are in an advanced development stage as chemical storage alternative. After discovery and optimization of a catalyst, the rehydrogenation times could be reduced to only a few minutes. The concept of catalytic enhancement of the rates of de- and rehydrogenation seems to be generalizable, so that there is hope for the discovery of further technically useful complex hydrides.