The disclosure relates to a material for reversibly storing and releasing
hydrogen comprising
graphite or a graphitic structure, for example, comprising an ordered
graphite structure of carbon and
nitrogen atoms wherein the interlayer and / or
interstitial volume is occupied with at least one intercalated anionic species. While any suitable anionic species can be employed, examples of suitable species are at least one of: F− (
fluoride), (C≡C)2− (diacetylide), and (N═C═N)2−. Desirable anionic species typically have a relatively high charge to volume ratio. The disclosure also relates to a material for reversibly storing and releasing
hydrogen comprising ordered graphitic structures comprising at least one member selected from the group of
graphite, single walled carbon nanotubes,
multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphite nanofibers, carbon nanohorns, and
boron nitride. The carbon materials may incorporate substitutional
nitrogen atoms in the graphite lattice at a level
ranging from about 1 to about 40 atomic percent.