Metal-organic framework MOF-5 (Zn(4)O(BDC)(3)), a microporous material with a high surface area and large pore volume, was synthesized by three approaches: direct mixing of triethylamine (TEA), slow diffusion of TEA, and solvothermal synthesis. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and nitrogen adsorption, and their hydrogen-storage capacities were measured. The different synthesis methods influenced the pore-structure parameters, morphologies and hydrogen-storage behavior of the obtained MOF-5. MOF-5 synthesized by the solvothermal approach showed a higher surface area and larger pore volume than the samples prepared by the other two approaches. Measurements of the hydrogen-storage behavior showed that the hydrogen-storage capacity was correlated with the specific surface area and pore volume of MOF-5. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.