Solar‐Driven Reversible Hydrogen Storage

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2023-01, Vol.35 (2), p.e2206946-n/a
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaoyue, Sun, Yahui, Ju, Shunlong, Ye, Jikai, Hu, Xuechun, Chen, Wei, Yao, Long, Xia, Guanglin, Fang, Fang, Sun, Dalin, Yu, Xuebin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Copper; Energy storage; Hydrogen; Hydrogen storage; hydrogen storage materials; Hydrogen-based energy; Irradiation; light irradiation; magnesium hydride; Materials science; Metal hydrides; Nanoparticles; Operating temperature; photothermal catalysis; solar energy; Solar radiation; Storage capacity; Thermal conductivity; Titanium; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202206946

The lack of safe and efficient hydrogen storage is a major bottleneck for large‐scale application of hydrogen energy. Reversible hydrogen storage of light‐weight metal hydrides with high theoretical gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density is one ideal solution but requires extremely high operating temperature with large energy input. Herein, taking MgH2 as an example, a concept is demonstrated to achieve solar‐driven reversible hydrogen storage of metal hydrides via coupling the photothermal effect and catalytic role of Cu nanoparticles uniformly distributed on the surface of MXene nanosheets (Cu@MXene). The photothermal effect of Cu@MXene, coupled with the “heat isolator” role of MgH2 indued by its poor thermal conductivity, effectively elevates the temperature of MgH2 upon solar irradiation. The “hydrogen pump” effect of Ti and TiHx species that are in situ formed on the surface of MXene from the reduction of MgH2, on the other hand, plays a catalytic role in effectively alleviating the kinetic barrier and hence decreasing the operating temperature required for reversible hydrogen adsorption and desorption of MgH2. Based on the combination of photothermal and catalytic effect of Cu@MXene, a reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 5.9 wt% is achieved for MgH2 after 30 cycles using solar irradiation as the only energy source. A concept is demonstrated to achieve solar‐driven reversible hydrogen storage of metal hydrides via coupling the photothermal effect and catalytic role of Cu nanoparticles uniformly distributed on the surface of MXene nanosheets. Induced by this synergistic effect, a reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 5.9 wt% is achieved for MgH2 after 30 cycles.