Direct hydrogenation of aluminum at low pressure

FUEL 105

Jason Graetz, graetz@bnl.gov1, James J. Reilly1, and James E. Wegrzyn, jimtheweg@bnl.gov2. (1) Department of Energy Sciences and Technology, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Bldg. 815, Upton, NY 11973, (2) Energy Sciences & Technology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Building 815, Upton, NY 11973-5000
One of the key challenges with utilizing aluminum hydride (AlH3) as a hydrogen storage material is the difficulty in regenerating the hydride from the spent Al. Although metastable under ambient conditions, AlH3 can be prepared through a costly ethereal reaction of lithium alanate with aluminum chloride. AlH3 can also be formed directly from the elements (Al and H2) at a pressure of 28 kbar (300 °C). An alternative direct approach involves a reaction of the alane with a second species to form a more stable alane adduct. In 1964 E.C. Ashby demonstrated the direct synthesis of an amine alane (TEDA•AlH3) in THF at a hydrogenation pressure of 340 bar. In this work, we show that amine alanes can be prepared at much lower pressures (<30 bar) using an activated form aluminum powder. This versatile hydrogenation method may be used to form new alane-based compounds with more favorable hydrogen storage properties.
 

Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Technology
1:25 PM-5:15 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 Boston Park Plaza -- Cambridge Rm, Oral

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007