Nový způsob uložení vodíku

PopisItalské výzkumné centrum vyvinulo nové polymerní materiály - matrice pro nanasení oxidů přechodných kovů pro uložení vodíku za nedrastických podmínek (teplota, tlak). Toto centrum hledá partnery pro vývoj prototypu zásobníku a pro vyzkoušení nových typů materiálů pro tuto aplikaci.


Summary: An Italian Research Institute, has developed new polymeric materials to be used as a matrix to support transition metal oxides (Mn, Fe, etc.) for hydrogen storage applications with the capacity to store hydrogen in non-drastic conditions of temperature and pressure. The institute seeks partners to develop tank prototypes (testing of new applications) and/or to improve the study on this or other classes of materials for hydrogen applications (transfer of knowledge in new raw materials).
Description: In general, the polymers have no chemical-physical capacity to bind hydrogen in such large quantities, while the metal oxides show, especially through the crystal structures, sites potentially able to trap hydrogen molecules. Since, the reversibility of absorption/desorption cycles in drastic conditions is a critical and fundamental aspect, such used materials for hydrogen storage are subjected to a strong mechanical stress and a collapse of the structures occurs. This phenomenon could somehow be overcome using functionalized polymers that act as a matrix for supporting the materials (oxides) having chemical-physical characteristics suitable for the hydrogen storage. The functionalized polymer chosen is the class of polyaromatics (Sulphonated Polyetheretherketone) to be used as a matrix on which to support and/or anchor oxides of transition metals such as Mn, Fe, etc.. having crystallographic structures suitable to the hydrogen storage. Preliminary hydrogen sorption/desorption tests in cryogenic conditions (77 K) reveals the possibility to store hydrogen up to a 1.2%wt. Lately, it has been carried out a first study about the hydrogen sorption on the synthesized material through gravimetric measurements with a magnetic suspension balance which has provided encouraging results (0.2 wt% at 50°C and 60bar) supporting the start hypothesis in which this polymeric material able to hydrogen sorption. Volumetric measurements were used to investigate the influence of different oxide percentages in non-drastic conditions (T=110°C e P=60bar) reaching a value of about 1%wt constant over time. The developed material will be used for the achievement of a reservoir for the hydrogen storage to be used in a power generator based on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cell technology.
Advantages and Innovations: Among all the materials studied in the literature, particular importance is given to the class of metal hydrides, which have a considerable capacity for hydrogen storage, about 7% wt. Such materials, on the contrary, show several weaknesses such as: high production cost, difficulty of handling characteristics because of their high reactivity, high weight, need for activation through several charge/discharge cycles, reversibility is limited during the adsorption/desorption phases. Among all the possible choice to using the metal hydride, polymeric materials as well as the metal oxides are very importance in this field. The prepared materials proposed will have a low cost polymeric materials with an easy preparation containing manganese oxides having sorption capacity at about 1.2%wt, comparable to more commonly used materials, mechanical stability and a consequent sorption reversibility and, moreover, a high degradation resistance due to the polymeric thermo stable matrix used as a support.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought: The proponent has extensive experience in preparative individual components for fuel cells. In particular, he gained a good knowledge in the functionalization of polymeric materials used as solid electrolytes in fuel cells, but also in the development of polymeric composites materials for applications in hydrogen storage, the latter activity gained in different projects funded by Ministry of Education, University and Research of Italy. The possibility to store hydrogen in efficient and safe way would give a huge boost to the development of the hydrogen economy and would in fact lead to a clean revolution in different field starting the transportation (cars, buses, trucks, trains, ships and aircraft), passing through portable devices (pc, phone, cameras, walkman, etc.) ending with stationary applications (parks, public lighting, individual homes and entire residential).

Type of partner sought: Research organization, academy and Industries to commercialize the synthetized materials. - Specific area of activity of the partner: Transport and storage of hydrogen; Industrial manufacturing, material and transport technologies; - Task to be performed: Development of new materials, for hydrogen storage applications, based on manganese oxide anchored to the polymeric matrix able to store over 2wt% of hydrogen in no-drastic conditions of temperature and pressure. The best material will be used as absorbent bed for hydrogen in prototipe tank. - Size (if relevant)

Type of Partnership Considered: Joint venture agreement
License agreement
Technical cooperation agreement

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