Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage Using Layered Double Hydroxide Material

Abstract

In recent years, owing to the triple effect of increasing energy demand, depleting fossil fuels, and climate change, significant interest has been attracted in exploring hydrogen (H2) as an alternative or complementing clean and green energy sources. Various methods have been investigated for storing H2, however, electrochemical H2 storage has emerged as a viable method since H atoms are generated and stored in situ at normal pressure and temperature. The storage mechanism consists of, electrochemical reduction of H2O, thus leading to the generation of H atoms. These H atoms subsequently diffuse from the electrolyte, traversing through the adsorbed layer, and ultimately reach the electrode-electrolyte interface and get stored in the lamellar spaces of layered double hydroxide. The electrochemical H2 storage finds its application in Ni metal hydride batteries. Previously alloys were utilized as electrode material for electrochemical H2 storage however due to their complex structure, the storage process becomes sluggish. Moreover, the synthesis cost of alloys is very high since they employ techniques like arc welding. To address such limitations, the present research focuses on the fabrication of bimetallic layered double hydroxides-based H2 storage material. The synthesized material exhibited high discharge capacity, low resistance, and good cyclic stability. Thus, the proposed material synthesized through a facile route may be utilized as a viable potential alternative for efficient electrochemical H2 storage applications. Figure 1