Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) are organic compounds which can absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reations. Therefore, LOHC can be used as a storage medium for hydrogen. Basically, every unsaturated compound (organic molecules with double or triple bonds) can bind hydrogen during hydrogenation.

LOHC are materials that can store hydrogen in a liquid form, potentially making it easier to transport and use as a fuel. When hydrogen is dissolved in a LOHC, it becomes a stable and relatively safe storage material. The hydrogen can be released from the LOHC by heating it or by applying a small amount of pressure.

There are several different types of LOHC that have been developed, including pyridine-based LOHC, amine-based LOHC, and alcohol-based LOHC. These materials have different properties and may be more or less suitable for different applications.

One advantage of LOHC is that they can store hydrogen at relatively high densities, making it possible to transport large amounts of hydrogen in a small volume. This could make them useful for applications such as fuel cell vehicles, where the hydrogen needs to be stored on board the vehicle.

LOHC are still an active area of research, and there are many challenges to be addressed before they can be widely used. For example, further work is needed to improve the efficiency of the storage and release process, and to find materials that are stable and safe over long periods of time.

In 2020 Japan constructed the first international chain of hydrogen suppliers in the world between Brunei and Kawasaki City. It uses LOHC technologies on the toluene basis. Hyundai Motor is investing into the development of stationary and board systems LOHC.