Characterization of Hydrogen Storage in Hydroquinone Clathrate using Terahertz Spectroscopy

Hydroquinone clathrates are promising materials for solid-state hydrogen storage, yet, distinct spectroscopic characterization of H2 enclathration remains elusive. Here, we show that low-frequency (terahertz) vibrational spectroscopy, coupled with molecular simulations, reveals clear spectroscopic fingerprints of H2 clathrate formation in the α-hydroquinone polymorph, demonstrates an unexpected route to hydrogen incorporation.