A study published by scientists from the Institute for Advanced Science reveals, for the first time ever, the details regarding heterometallic molecular structures that could form the basis of breakthroughs in the development of lightweight fuel cells
A study published by scientists from the Institute for Advanced Science reveals, for the first time ever, the details regarding heterometallic molecular structures that could form the basis of breakthroughs in the development of lightweight fuel cells. The new materials include an innovative yet unexplored combination of metals from the rare ores group and the transition metals group.
The most common chemical element in the universe - hydrogen - holds great promise as a source of clean and renewable energy, while receiving only water as a by-product in the process, a result that prevents the environmental dangers associated with the energy sources that exist today. However, the widespread use of hydrogen is still delayed since, in its natural gaseous state, large volumes are required for its efficient storage and transportation.
One of the ways to solve this problem is the use of metal hydrides, which are metallic compounds in which hydrogen atoms are combined, which are a storage medium for hydrogen gas. In this method, the hydrides of the metal bond with hydrogen to form a solid whose volume is up to a thousand times smaller than the original volume of the hydrogen gas. In the next step, the hydrogen can be released from the solid simply by heating it to a specified temperature.
The hydride clusters of the new metals synthesized by the researchers of the RIKEN Institute consist of metals from the rare ore group and the transition metal group and constitute building blocks while utilizing the advantages of each of these groups. Metal hydrides, based on metals from the rare ore group, bypass one of the main limitations by allowing the use of X-ray diffraction, a method that is not practical for most other metal hydrides - and thus they provide unique insights regarding the details of the reactions occurring in these materials. Metal hydrides consisting of metals from the rare ore group only, by themselves, do not undergo reversible processes of hydrogen adsorption and release - the core process of hydrogen storage. These are made possible through the addition of a transition metal, in this case, tungsten or molybdenum.
Although metal hydride conjugates of the type that combine metals from the rare ore group and transition metals have been studied in the past, the present study is the first ever to examine the activity of conjugates with several types of rare ore metals and with well-defined structures.
In an article describing the findings of the new research, published in the scientific journal Nature Chemistry, the scientists demonstrate how these conjugates exhibit unique reactive properties that could be important in the development of new and efficient hydrogen storage media.
One response
Very interesting. It's a shame you didn't include a link to explain the methods for actually producing energy from hydrogen. (When I have time I will try to search by myself of course).