Hydrogen Storage and Transportation: Characterizing a Potential New Medium

What is it about?

Implementation of a widespread "hydrogen economy" is currently limited by lack of suitable means for both production and storage of hydrogen fuel. In this article we use x-ray spectroscopy and first principles theory to characterize the nature of the borohydride ion-produced by adding water to solid borohydride salts. A, unusual structure was found for the hydrated ion.

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Why is it important?

Addition of water to solid borohydride salts produces hydrogen. This provides a simple and portable means of both storing and transporting hydrogen fuel. However, in order to engineer practical system for exploiting this possibility, the chemical behavior of all components of the borohydride system must be well-characterized. This work is a major step in that direction.