2D materials for enabling hydrogen as an energy vector

Hydrogen holds promise for slashing emissions in energy and transportation due to its high energy density and clean combustion. The transition to hydrogen fuel encompasses various vehicles, including cars, buses, ships, and aircraft. Proton batteries emerge as contenders for heavy-duty vehicles, leveraging hydrogen's energy potential without combustion. However, realizing stable, cost-effective hydrogen generation and storage on an industrial scale remains a formidable engineering hurdle. In this review, the focus is on the potential of two-dimensional (2D) materials to address this challenge. These materials offer the prospect of cost-efficient, leak-free hydrogen storage and generation even under atmospheric pressure. The article explores recent advancements in utilizing 2D materials across the hydrogen spectrum, spanning production, storage, conversion, and the electrochemical properties relevant to proton batteries. Additionally, it delves into fundamental aspects crucial for recent hydrogen applications using 2D materials. Noteworthy attention is given to recently developed 2D composite materials exhibiting exceptional properties for hydrogen storage. The review underscores the future outlook of these materials in terms of large-scale production and practical implementation, highlighting their potential to revolutionize hydrogen technologies for renewable and sustainable energy applications.