Biomass-derived carbon materials for hydrogen storage: Structure-performance relationships and design strategies

Hydrogen is a clean, high-energy-density carrier central to the transition toward sustainable energy systems, yet its large-scale adoption is hindered by challenges in safe, efficient, and cost-effective storage. Biomass-derived carbons (BCMs) have emerged as renewable, low-cost, and structurally tunable materials that can be engineered for high-performance hydrogen storage. This review systematically maps the relationship between biomass feedstock type, processing routes, and resulting pore architecture—linking these parameters directly to hydrogen uptake. Drawing on diverse precursors, from agricultural and forestry residues to marine biomass and industrial byproducts, we compare how activation methods, heteroatom doping, and hierarchical pore engineering influence physisorption and chemisorption performance. Special emphasis is placed on the role of pore geometry, an often-overlooked but critical factor in maximizing adsorption capacity and kinetics. By consolidating data across studies, we identify design rules for tailoring BCMs, assess scalability and stability challenges, and highlight pathways for industrial translation. This comprehensive synthesis not only advances the fundamental understanding of structure–performance relationships but also provides a practical framework for developing next-generation, biomass-based hydrogen storage materials.