High Density Ambient Condition Ammonia Storage Materials

In this Phase I program, a unique carbon material is proposed as high density, ambient condition ammonia vapor storage media. Ammonia is a potential solution of hydrogen supply for fuel cell systems; it has high hydrogen content and cracking ammoniagenerates COx-free hydrogen gas. The preferred ammonia storage system is the one that based on vapor adsorption system at near ambient conditions to avoid high pressure and potential liquid ammonia leakage.The proposed porous carbon materials adsorb and desorb large amounts of ammonia vapor at near ambient conditions. The overall storage capacities are up to 68% ammonia vapor per carbon weight, which corresponds to practical energy density of 2.36kWhe perkilogram carbon material. The ammonia vapor adsorption-desorption cycles operate between vapor pressure of 1 to 3 atmospheres; therefore, no high pressure or vacuum is required. The materials are synthesized from a low cost precursor with simple processes.During this Phase I study, the feasibility of using this carbon material for high capacity ambient condition ammonia storage applications will be established. That is, the carbon samples will be synthesized; their micropore structure and chemicalproperties will be modified; their ammonia vapor adsorption/desorption properties will be evaluated; and their ammonia vapor charging-discharging recyclability will be tested. The proposed system, if successful, will provide a high density, low cost, and ambient condition ammonia storage system. The proposed system will be ideal as person-portable power source for combat field soldiers. It will also have potential to be used ason-board fuel storage for fuel cell powered vehicles.