Abstract
Hydrogen has a very diverse chemistry and reacts with most other elements to form compounds, which have fascinating structures, compositions and properties. Complex metal hydrides are a rapidly expanding class of materials, approaching multi-functionality, in particular within the energy storage field. This review illustrates that complex metal hydrides may store hydrogen in the solid state, act as novel battery materials, both as electrolytes and electrode materials, or store solar heat in a more efficient manner as compared to traditional heat storage materials. Furthermore, it is highlighted how complex metal hydrides may act in an integrated setup with a fuel cell. This review focuses on the unique properties of light element complex metal hydrides mainly based on boron, nitrogen and aluminum, e.g., metal borohydrides and metal alanates. Our hope is that this review can provide new inspiration to solve the great challenge of our time: efficient conversion and large-scale storage of renewable energy.
Highlights
The ultimate challenge of our time is the development of an environmentally friendly energy system based on sustainable renewable energy to replace our fossil fuel dependency
The focus is on light elemental hydrides, often have extreme hydrogen densities and poor thermodynamic and kinetic consisting mainly of boron, nitrogen or aluminum, which may be used infor storage of hydrogen, solar properties and limited reversibility
In the 1960s it was discovered that a range of alkali metal alanates can be prepared through direct hydrogenation of the alkali metal hydride (MH, M = Li, Na, K, Cs) and aluminum either in the solid state or in a solvent-mediated reaction [53,54]
Summary
The ultimate challenge of our time is the development of an environmentally friendly energy system based on sustainable renewable energy to replace our fossil fuel dependency. Hydrogen (H2), is the lightest element of all and has some unique properties among known substances, e.g., the highest gravimetric energy density, the fastest diffusion speed in air, and a low density both as a gas and liquid. The latter makes hydrogen challenging to store in a dense manner. Latter makes all hydrogen challenging to store in a all material closed, including our energy materials that we use must be reused as illustrated in Figure dense manner.
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