Abstract
In this investigation, ternary Al-Bi-Zn composites were prepared through mechanochemical activation to determine the combined effects of low-cost Bi and Zn on the morphology change and reactivity of the Al composite during the hydrolysis reaction. Specifically, Zn was considered as a means to slow the hydrogen generation rate while preserving a high hydrogen yield. A steady hydrogen generation rate is preferred when coupled with a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that Bi and Zn were distributed relatively uniformly in Al particles. By doing so, galvanic coupling between anodic Al and the cathodic Bi/Zn sustains the hydrolysis reaction until the entire Al particle is consumed. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed no intermetallic phases between Al, Bi, and/or Zn formed. A composite containing 7.5 wt% Bi and 2.5 wt% Zn had a hydrogen yield of 99.5%, which was completed after approximately 2300 s. It was further found that the water quality used during hydrolysis could further slow the hydrogen generation rate.
Highlights
Progression in fuel cell technology and the necessity for environmentally friendly sustainable energy carriers motivates the development of more efficient hydrogen production methods
It was indicated that ball mills achieved higher energies during milling than conventional mills, leading to rapid metal composite formation and reducing the effect of initial material particle size on the final composite homogeneity [76]
Three types of mechanochemical activation combinations occur during ball milling: ductile–ductile, ductile–brittle, and brittle–brittle
Summary
Progression in fuel cell technology and the necessity for environmentally friendly sustainable energy carriers motivates the development of more efficient hydrogen production methods. Partial hydrocarbon oxidation and photo-thermochemical methods are mainly used to produce hydrogen. In both processes, carbon dioxide (CO2) and small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) are formed, which adds to the accumulation of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere [2,17]. Hydrogen can only be considered green if it is produced from a renewable source (e.g., water) using a renewable energy source. This approach contains its difficulties, such as the intermittent availability of solar and wind energy [18]
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