Nanoscale Hydrogen Storage vs Conventional Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel source due to its high energy content and lack of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it needs to be stored in a compact and safe manner. There are two main methods of hydrogen storage: conventional and nanoscale. Let's take a closer look at both methods to see how they compare.

Conventional Hydrogen Storage

Conventional hydrogen storage methods include compressed gas, liquid, and solid-state. Compressed gas storage involves compressing hydrogen gas to high pressures, usually between 350 and 700 bar. Liquid storage involves cooling hydrogen gas to a temperature below -253°C to liquefy it. Solid-state storage involves adsorbing or absorbing hydrogen gas in a porous material or a solid-state chemical.

While conventional hydrogen storage methods are well-established, they have several drawbacks. The high pressures and low temperatures needed for storage can lead to safety concerns, and the storage tanks themselves can be quite heavy and bulky.

Nanoscale Hydrogen Storage

Nanoscale hydrogen storage involves storing hydrogen in a material that has a large surface area relative to its volume. This can be achieved using carbon nanotubes, metal-organic frameworks, or other nanoporous materials.

In addition to its high surface area, nanoscale storage has several advantages over conventional storage methods. It can store hydrogen at room temperature and low pressure, making it a safer and more practical option for hydrogen storage. Nanoscale hydrogen storage also has the potential to increase storage capacity, as the surface area can be tuned to optimize storage.

Comparison

To compare nanoscale and conventional hydrogen storage methods, we can look at some key metrics.

Storage Capacity Nanoscale hydrogen storage has the potential for high storage capacity. According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry, carbon nanotubes can store up to 43 hydrogen molecules per nanotube. In contrast, compressed gas storage can typically store around 5% of its volume in hydrogen, and liquid storage can store around 1% of its volume.

Safety Nanoscale hydrogen storage is safer than compressed gas or liquid storage. The lower pressures and room temperature storage reduce the risk of explosions, and the solid-state storage eliminates the need for cryogenic or high-pressure storage.

Cost Conventional hydrogen storage methods are generally cheaper than nanoscale storage methods. However, as nanoscale storage technology advances, costs may decrease in the future.

Conclusion

While both conventional and nanoscale hydrogen storage methods have their advantages and disadvantages, nanoscale storage appears to be a promising alternative to compressed gas and liquid storage. It offers higher storage capacity and improved safety, making it a practical option for hydrogen storage in the future.

References:

• Dresselhaus, M. S., et al. "Carbon Nanotubes: Hydrogen Storage and Nanoelectronics." Journal of Physical Chemistry, vol. 100, 1996, pp. 18963-18970.
• Yang, R. T. "Nanoporous materials for hydrogen storage." Applied Physics A, vol. 72, no. 2, 2001, pp. 131-142.