>Why formate? Can't you get hydrogen from any acid, because that's literally the definition of an acid? Formate releases hydrogen differently: HCOOH >> H2 + C

>Why formate? Can't you get hydrogen from any acid, because that's literally the definition of an acid? Formate releases hydrogen differently: HCOOH >> H2 + CO2 Other acids need an electron donor to produce hydrogen. Formate reduces itself. >"If the regeneration and reaction could be performed at 8 M rather than 3 M concentration...", why can't they? You're getting a little over my head here, but I think there might be some solubility problems. >"If the cell voltage could be reduced" sounds super fishy to me; isn't that just a useless wish that the elements / molecules you're working with have different properties than they actually do? The standard electrode potential does create a minimum voltage, but usually there is considerable inefficiency. I can't answer the other questions, except to mention that formate is very stable and easy to store.