New material delivers hydrogen storage boost

Known as KMH-1 (Kubas Manganese Hydride-1), it works by exploiting a chemical process called Kubas binding that distances the hydrogen atoms within a H2 molecule, without the need to split the molecule. The process works at room temperature and around 120 bar compared to current hydrogen storage systems that typically operate at around 700 bar.

KMH-1 would be used to make molecular sieves within hydrogen fuel tanks, which would feed hydrogen cells when the pressure was released. According to the researchers, the material also absorbs and stores excess energy so external heat and cooling is not required. This could result in hydrogen-powered vehicles that are significantly lighter and more efficient than existing designs.

“The cost of manufacturing our material is so low, and the energy density it can store is so much higher than a lithium-ion battery, that we could see hydrogen fuel cell systems that cost five times less than lithium-ion batteries as well as providing a much longer range – potentially enabling journeys up to around four or five times longer between fill-ups,” said research lead Professor David Antonelli, who holds the Chair in Physical Chemistry at Lancaster.