Hydrogen-based Energy Storage (IEA-HIA Task 32)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its Hydrogen Implementation Agreement (HIA) conducts the core R&D work in Tasks byMember Experts.Task 32 'Hydrogen-based Energy Storage' addresses solutions for energy storage based on hydrogen. Task 32 is the largest international collaboration in this field involving over 50 experts from 18 countries. Currently, the task consists of six working groups, porous materials, magnesium-based hydrogen and energy storage materials, complex and liquid hydrides, electrochemical storage of energy, heat storage and hydrogen storage systems for mobile applications

Survey of classical density functionals for modelling hydrogen physisorption at 77 K

This work surveys techniques based on classical density functionals for modeling the quantum dispersion of physisorbed hydrogen at 77 K. Two such techniques are examined in detail. The first is based on the "open ring approximation" (ORA) of Broukhno et al., and it is compared with a technique based on the semiclassical approximation of Feynman and Hibbs (FH). For both techniques, a standard classical density functional is used to model hydrogen molecule-hydrogen molecule (i.e., excess) interactions. The three-dimensional (3D) quantum harmonic oscillator (QHO) system and a model of molecular hydrogen adsorption into a graphitic slit pore at 77 K are used as benchmarks. Density functional results are compared with path-integral Monte Carlo simulations and with exact solutions for the 3D QHO system. It is found that neither of the density functional treatments are entirely satisfactory. However, for hydrogen physisorption studies at 77 K the ORA based technique is generally superior to the FH based technique due to a fortunate cancellation of errors in the density functionals used. But, if more accurate excess functionals are used, the FH technique would be superior

Ethylene Tetramerization Catalysis: Effects of Aluminum-Induced Isomerization of PNP to PPN Ligands

Diphosphinoamines (PNP) are commonly used to support Cr-catalyzed ethylene trimerization and tetramerization. Although isomerization of PNP to a PPN (iminobisphosphine) species has been established, such reactivity has not been studied in detail in the context of Cr-based selective ethylene oligomerization catalysis. Herein, we show that precursors that are stable as PNP frameworks can isomerize to PPN species in the presence of chlorinated aluminum activators relevant to ethylene oligomerization catalysis. Isomerization changes the pattern of reactivity of the ligands, making them more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by alkyl groups, resulting in a variety of degradation products. The isomerization-mediated degradation of PNP ligands leads to the formation of unwanted polymerization catalysts in ethylene tetramerization systems, thus providing insight into the formation of Cr species that affect the overall selectivity and activity values. For example, independently prepared [R_2PNR]^— leads to potent Cr polymerization catalysts. The susceptibility for isomerization is dependent on the nature of the N-substituent of the PNP precursor. Electron donating N-substituent i-Pr, which disfavors the PPN isomer compared to p-tolyl, and minimization of water contamination correlate with higher oligomerization activity and lower polymer byproducts. More broadly, the present study demonstrates the significant impact that Al-activators can have on the structure and behavior of the supporting ligand leading to detrimental reactivity

Functionalised metal-organic frameworks: a novel approach to stabilising single metal atoms

We have investigated the potential of metal-organic frameworks for immobilising single atoms of transition metals using a model system of Pd supported on NH2-MIL-101(Cr). Our Transmission Electron Microscopy and in-situ Raman spectroscopy results give evidence for the first time that functionalised metal-organic frameworks may support, isolate and stabilise single atoms of palladium. Using Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy we were able to evaluate the proportion of single Pd atoms. Furthermore, in a combined theoretical-experimental approach, we show that the H-H bonds in a H2 molecule elongate by over 15% through the formation of a complex with single atoms of Pd. Such deformation would affect any hydrogenation reaction and thus the single atoms supported on metal-organic frameworks may become promising single atom catalysts in the future

Hausdorff spectrum of harmonic measure

For every non-elementary hyperbolic group, we show that for every random walk with finitely supported admissible step distribution, the associated entropy equals the drift times the logarithmic volume growth if and only if the corresponding harmonic measure is comparable with Hausdorfff measure on the boundary. Moreover, we introduce one parameter family of probability measures which interpolates a Patterson-Sullivan measure and the harmonic measure, and establish a formula of Hausdorff spectrum (multifractal spectrum) of the harmonic measure. We also give some finitary versions of dimensional properties of the harmonic measure

How to functionalise metal–organic frameworks to enable guest nanocluster embedment

We report on the development and verification of an enhanced computational model capable of robust predictions and yielding a single descriptor to the successful embedding of guest nanoclusters into the pores of functionalised metal-organic frameworks. Using the predictions of this model, we have been able to embed Pd nanoclusters in the pores of Br-UiO-66 and show that the embedding of Pd nanoclusters in both (OH)2-UiO-66 and (Cl)2-UiO-66 is not successful. Also, using various independent methods, we identified the strong host-guest interactions that anchor the guest nanoclusters inside the Br-UiO-66 framework which result in the surface modification of said nanoclusters. We demonstrated that the level of this surface modification is a direct function of the framework functional groups. This new approach for the rational design of nanocluster-metal-organic framework systems, and a demonstrated tool box for their characterisation, will promote the exploitation of surface modification of nanoclusters via their embedding into functionalised metal-organic framework pores

Research and development of hydrogen carrier based solutions for hydrogen compression and storage

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Developments in the Ni–Nb–Zr amorphous alloy membranes

Most of the global H2 production is derived from hydrocarbon-based fuels, and efficient H2/CO2 separation is necessary to deliver a high-purity H2 product. Hydrogen-selective alloy membranes are emerging as a viable alternative to traditional pressure swing adsorption processes as a means for H2/CO2 separation. These membranes can be formed from a wide range of alloys, and those based on Pd are the closest to commercial deployment. The high cost of Pd (USD *31,000 kg-1) is driving the development of less-expensive alternatives, including inexpensive amorphous (Ni60Nb40)100-xZrx alloys. Amorphous alloy membranes can be fabricated directly from the molten state into continuous ribbons via melt spinning and depending on the composition can exhibit relatively high hydrogen permeability between 473 and 673 K. Here we review recent developments in these low-cost membrane materials, especially with respect to permeation behavior, electrical transport properties, and understanding of local atomic order. To further understand the nature of these solids, atom probe tomography has been performed, revealing amorphous Nb-rich and Zr-rich clusters embedded in majority Ni matrix whose compositions deviated from the nominal overall composition of the membrane