Methods of purifying hydrogen-containing materials are described. The methods include the steps of providing a purifier material comprising silica. The silica can be heated at temperature of about 100 DEG C or more in a dry atmosphere to form activated silica. The activated silica can be contacted with a starting hydrogen-containing material, wherein the activated silica reduces a concentration of one or more impurities from the starting hydrogen-containing material to form the purified hydrogen-containing material, wherein the activated silica does not decompose the purified hydrogen-containing material.