Rational Design and Synthesis of Novel Microporous Materials for Hydrogen Storage

The availability of an efficient fuel-cell-based automobile, running on renewable hydrogen, would improve the environment by dramatically reducing air pollutants, while also diminishing the U.S. dependence on imported petroleum. However, there is a critical need to develop a safe hydrogen storage technology before fuel-cell-based automobiles can compete effectively with gasoline-powered vehicles. This problem will be addressed by introducing, via syntheses, a series of novel specifically-designed hydrogen sorption materials, which exhibit enhanced physisorption. These materials will be evaluated with respect to hydrogen uptake and release over explicit ranges of temperature and pressure. In Phase I, two classes of materials ¿ both with high surface area, pore diameter ranging from 1 to 15 nm, thermal and dimensional stability, and strong sorption sites ¿ will be prepared. The effectiveness of these new substances as hydrogen sorption materials will be carefully evaluated. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The hydrogen sorption materials should offer significant improvements in performance over current hydrogen fuel cell materials. Commercial applications include automotive fuel cell engines, fuel cells in space exploration, and fuel cells in other vehicles such as boats and ships. Other applications may include portable power for mobile industrial machinery and power generation in buildings