Lithium nitrides, imides and amides as lightweight, reversible hydrogen stores

Complex "chemical hydrides" present new families of materials for high gravimetric capacity hydrogen uptake. Such high capacity storage is offered reversibly with potentially rapid sorption kinetics and good cyclability by systems taking materials containing lithium and nitrogen as a basis. Such nitrides, imides and amides also present vast opportunities for doping, catalysis and morphology/size control. This feature article highlights how the materials chemistry of these hydrides has developed at a rapid rate from conception and discovery through to modification and optimisation.