Spontaneous hydrogen generation from organic-capped Al nanoparticles and water.
The development of technologies that would lead toward the adoption of a hydrogen economy requires readily available, safe, and environmentally friendly access to hydrogen. This can be achieved using the aluminum-water reaction; however, the protective nature and stability of aluminum oxide is a clear detriment to its application. Here, we demonstrate the spontaneous generation of hydrogen gas from ordinary room-temperature tap water when combined with aluminum-oleic acid core-shell nanoparticles obtained via sonochemistry. The reaction is found to be near-complete (>95% yield hydrogen) with a tunable rate from 6.4x10(-4) to 0.01 g of H2/s/g of Al and to yield an environmentally benign byproduct. The potential of these nanoparticles as a source of hydrogen gas for power generation is demonstrated using a simple fuel cell with an applied load.
Bunker
Christopher E
CE
Smith
Marcus J
MJ
Fernando
K A Shiral
KA
Harruff
Barbara A
BA
Lewis
William K
WK
Gord
Joseph R
JR
Guliants
Elena A
EA
Phelps
Donald K
DK
D000535:Aluminum / Q000737:chemistry*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D014867:Water; D019301:Oleic Acid; D006859:Hydrogen; D000535:Aluminum