Nanomaterials in the Hydrogen Economy: A Narrative Review of Production, Storage, Carbon Capture and Commercialisation

Hydrogen is widely regarded as a key component of future low-carbon energy systems, and nanomaterials are central to improving the efficiency and performance of the technologies that will deliver it. Existing reviews typically treat hydrogen production, storage and carbon capture separately; this narrative review compares nanomaterials across these selected domains using qualitative evidence categories and, where the data permit, indicative cost benchmarks. Of the 22 classes assessed, 19 are classified on the maturity axis. Of those, 14 show laboratory evidence only, three reach prototype or pilot evidence and two reach field or commercial evidence in the reviewed application. The remaining three have industrial precedent only in other applications and are not classified on this axis. Across six unmatched storage examples, reported capacities vary substantially, but the data do not support an application-specific maturity relationship. Cost data for nanomaterial-based hydrogen storage are particularly scarce compared with production and carbon capture, where indicative but inconsistently reported benchmarks exist. Commercialisation pathways, hydrogen carrier technologies and environmental, health, safety and life-cycle considerations are also examined alongside the potential contribution to industrial decarbonisation. Key research priorities are identified, including a five-point minimal reporting checklist (TERC) intended to make future cost reporting more comparable.