Nanostructured hydrogen storage materials: the benefits of particle size effects and support interaction
Hydrogen, if produced from renewable sources, would be an attractive fuel
for cars, as it does not lead to emission of polluting or greenhouse gases. However, efficient, compact and safe storage of hydrogen on board is a
challenge.
Hydrogen gas is voluminous and difficult to compress, while
liquefaction takes much energy. To solidify hydrogen is no option, but it can
nevertheless be stored as a solid: certain light metals can take up (and
release upon heating) considerable amounts of hydrogen gas.
However, so far
no material has been unidentified that meets all requirements, especially the
combination of fast hydrogen release and uptake at reasonable temperatures is
difficult to find.
We investigate the possibility to use known combinations
of light metals, but change their properties by making them in the form of a
very fine powder (nanoparticles) and put this powder inside a carbon sponge. After making the materials, we will measure the rate and temperature of
hydrogen release and absorption.
Also theoretical calculations will be
performed to better understand the system, and to predict which experiments
would be most useful. Furthermore model systems, very thin films, will be used
to learn about the structure of nanophase-composites.
It is expected that
due to very small grain size in the powder (and the influence of the carbon
sponge), hydrogen can be released and absorbed easier and faster, and at more
moderate temperatures and pressured thanis normally the case for these light
metals.
Project leaders
- Dr. P.E. de Jongh, Utrecht University
- Dr. J.H. Bitter, Utrecht University
- Dr. B. Dam, Free University, Amsterdam
- Prof. dr. ir. K.P. de Jong, Utrecht University
- Prof. dr. G.J. Kroes, Leiden University
- Dr. R.A. Olsen, Leiden University