PNNL

Abstract

With the future demand for clean alternative energy, there is a need to develop suitable materials for energy storage. One of the most promising technologies involves storing hydrogen as an energy carrier. Many metals and alloys can form chemical bonds with hydrogen in so called metal hydrides, but wiht limited amount of hydrogen per metal atoms. The complex metal hydrides are much more hydrogen rich and thus has potential to be utilized in high-power applications. Here we will briefly discuss the features of different types of hydrogen storage materials. High-pressure techniques have proven to be a useful approach to efficiently discover light-weight, high-capacity hydrogen storage materials in the solid state. Focus will be on three different materials systems; Mg-based transition metal hydrides, alanates and borohydrides, their crystal structures and properties, prepared by high-pressure sintering, high-energy ball milling or in a cubic anvil.