The discovery by the Leoben scientists that certain polymers can safely bind and release hydrogen in a chemical reaction offers numerous advantages. The hydrogen is bound stably and the storage material used is therefore completely harmless.
Challenges for hydrogen storage
Hydrogen is heralded as a clean and efficient energy carrier with enormous potential applications, ranging from fuel for vehicles and heating to large-scale energy storage. However, current methods of hydrogen storage face challenges in terms of safety, cost and practicality. The discovery made at Montanuniversität Leoben offers a new solution to these problems and paves the way for hydrogen to become a viable and widespread energy source.
Innovative process with reactive polymers
The Leoben scientists Mohammadhossein Sharifian, Wolfgang Kern† (recently passed away), Gisbert Riess and Nikolaos Kostoglou developed a novel process in which hydrogen is “chemically” stored in reactive polymers such as polyvinylnaphthalene.
To be precise, it is a catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reaction that makes it possible to store around five percent by weight of hydrogen in polymers in a completely safe way. In contrast to conventional storage methods, this process offers significant advantages, including increased safety, cost efficiency and ease of use, and does not require low temperatures.This distinguishes polymer-based hydrogen storage from conventional storage media such as metal hydrides and liquid organic carriers,” says Prof. Gisbert Riess, describing the new process
Further development and future research
Further optimization and refinement of the process is expected to further improve storage capacity and efficiency. Current research at the Institute of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials is focusing on various vinyl aromatic polymers that absorb and release hydrogen at different temperatures and reaction conditions. This research is an important step towards making hydrogen a more accessible and sustainable energy carrier.
The new research results were published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.09.016
Kontakt:
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Gisbert Rieß
Institute of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials
Phone: +43 3842 402 - 2311
E-mail: gisbert.riess@unileoben.ac.at
