Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, known as Berkeley Lab focuses on achieving a solution for the intricate challenges of the utilization of hydrogen-powered fuel cells, by formulating novel materials having high hydrogen adsorption potential.
Berkeley Lab scientist Jeffrey Long co-leads a project to develop novel materials for hydrogen storage. (Credit: Roy Kaltschmidt/ Berkeley Lab)
Berkeley Lab was awarded a three-year, $2.1 M grant for the project by the U.S. Department of Energy along with other contributions by the General Motors (GM), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
According to Berkeley Lab scientist and co-leader of the project, Jeffrey Long, metal-organic frameworks were employed to improve the hydrogen gas capacity in a pressure cylinder like the fuel tank. This approach facilitates hydrogen storage with controlled pressure, providing efficiency and safety, devoid of compression energy losses.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are 3D framework structures, composed primarily of carbon atoms. It resembles a sponge in appearance and is extremely lightweight. Besides its major applications, it also facilitates hydrogen bonding to the surface following chemical modification of structures within the materials. MOFs can also be used independently in a carbon capture project, wherein the material is used for selective absorption of carbon dioxide over nitrogen.
Using hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles allows performance up to 300 mi but it requires hydrogen to be stored from 600 to 700 bar high pressures. Currently, hydrogen capacity is doubled only at low temperatures like 77 K. However, the GM and NIST scientists, along with the scientists at Berkeley will facilitate achieving further improvements to this novel approach.