The role of surface-grafted amine groups on carbon-based supports for formic acid/CO₂-mediated chemical hydrogen storage and supply

Abstract

Chemical hydrogen storage is expected to be a suitable alternative to the conventional physical storage methods for hydrogen, and formic acid (FA) has great potential among the renewable hydrogen storage materials studied so far. Thus, the development of promising catalysts that target H₂ storage or supply, mediated by formic acid/CO₂, is greatly needed. However, the use of reliable heterogeneous catalysts has been delayed because research has concentrated on soluble homogeneous catalysts. The state-of-the-art in the development of heterogeneous catalysts with precise structures aimed at these reactions is summarized. We especially focus on the modification of carbon-based support materials with surface-grafted amine groups, which not only alter the electronic structures of the active nanoparticles, but also optimize the interaction with FA and CO₂ and improve the catalytic activity.