Nickel (Ni) and ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) containing microporous and graphitic carbon nanofiber (CNF)-activated carbon microfiber (ACF)-based adsorbent was prepared as an efficient hydrogen (H-2) storage material at 200 degrees C and 1 bar. The prepared Ni-CeO2-ACF/CNF was tested for the H-2 storage capacity under batch (static) as well as dynamic (flow) conditions, and the amounts of H-2 adsorbed were measured to be approximately the same. In its multiple roles, Ni-NP served as the chemical vapor deposition catalyst to grow the CNFs on ACF, besides enhancing H-2 adsorption via the spillover mechanism, and decreasing the reduction temperature of CeO2. The experimental data corroborated the positive effects of the synergistic interaction between the Ni and CeO2 NPs and the graphitic characteristics of the CNFs on H-2 adsorption. Although CeO2 induced irreversibility in H-2 adsorption on Ni-CeO2-ACF/CNF, the adsorbent was completely regenerated at 300 degrees C and 1 bar, indicating the developed H-2 storage-regeneration process in this study to be effective, practical, and energy efficient. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.