Originally published April 5 2005
Researchers find new storage material with potential for hydrogen
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered a new material for use in the storage of hydrogen for fuel cells. The new material uses a solid ammonia compound with a nanoscale silica "scaffolding" to greatly speed up the process by which hydrogen can be outgassed from the compound.
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are taking a new approach to "filling up" a fuel cell car with a nanoscale solid, hydrogen storage material.Their discovery could hasten a day when our vehicles will run on hydrogen-powered, environmentally friendly fuel cells instead of gasoline engines.The challenge, of course, is how to store and carry hydrogen.Recently, PNNL researchers Tom Autrey and Anna Gutowska found a way to release hydrogen from a solid compound almost 100 times faster than was previously possible."The compound ammonia borane is known to release hydrogen at temperatures below 80 degrees Celsius, but the rate of release is extremely slow," said Autrey.The PNNL team used a nanoscale mesoporous silica material as scaffolding for ammonia borane to achieve a high rate of hydrogen release at a lower temperature than is found at the conventional scale.A lower temperature reaction, 80 degrees Celsius (170 degrees Fahrenheit), or below, is important because additional energy is not required to maintain the reaction.To transform the ammonia borane to a nanomaterial, scientists dissolve the solid compound in a solvent and then add the solution to the mesoporous support material.Capillary action of the porous material pulls the ammonia borane into the pores of the support.The nanoscience approach to using ammonia borane as a storage material exceeds DOE's weight and volume storage goals for 2010.As a bonus, it also avoids the volatile chemicals produced at the bulk scale."We found no detectable borazine, which is harmful to fuel cells, produced by the reaction in the mesoporous materials," said Autrey.
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