04 Dec 2007
New hydride 'releases hydrogen at lower temperatures'
The discovery of a new form of hydride by researchers at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) could bring the widespread commercialisation of hydrogen fuelled cars one step closer, it has been claimed.
A 'Very Important Paper' published in Angewandte Chemie suggests that a new form of the compound lithium borohydride is capable of releasing hydrogen in mild conditions.
Previous incarnations of the material, which is known to be a promising energy storage system as it contains 18 weight percents of hydrogen, had led scientists to believe that hydrogen could only be released by lithium borohydride at temperatures above 300 decrees C.
However, the new compound is unstable - which is crucial, as all the other known forms of the material are too stable, meaning that they don't let the hydrogen go.
"This one is really unexpected and very encouraging," commented Yaroslav Filinchuk, the corresponding author of the paper.
© Adfero Ltd
A 'Very Important Paper' published in Angewandte Chemie suggests that a new form of the compound lithium borohydride is capable of releasing hydrogen in mild conditions.
Previous incarnations of the material, which is known to be a promising energy storage system as it contains 18 weight percents of hydrogen, had led scientists to believe that hydrogen could only be released by lithium borohydride at temperatures above 300 decrees C.
However, the new compound is unstable - which is crucial, as all the other known forms of the material are too stable, meaning that they don't let the hydrogen go.
"This one is really unexpected and very encouraging," commented Yaroslav Filinchuk, the corresponding author of the paper.
© Adfero LtdSource: Adfero