Metal-organic frameworks: dual role in ammonia synthesis and storage for sustainable hydrogen economy

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold transformative potential for the hydrogen economy, serving dual roles in both ammonia synthesis and storage. This review examines the catalytic properties of MOFs in the Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR), where their tunable structures and active sites enable efficient ammonia production under mild conditions. Besides synthesis, MOFs demonstrate remarkable storage capabilities due to multiple interaction pathways with ammonia, including acid-base interactions, hydrogen bonding, and dynamic exchange at host-guest sites across various active centers. The discussion also covers the economic landscape of MOFs, highlighting key challenges such as material costs, production scalability, and raw material availability. By linking MOFs' technical performance with economic factors, this review offers a perspective on their role in advancing a sustainable hydrogen economy.