Nanocluster to Store Hydrogen

Photo Courtesy of Discovery News

Adam Matzger, a chemist at the University of Michigan, created a zinc-oxide crystal that has the potential to store hydrogen.

When two bounded together hydrogen atoms are inserted into the crystal, the atoms bounce around inside the crystal, effectively turning it into a hydrogen storage container. What makes this crystal especially exciting is the fact that hydrogen atoms stick to the inside walls of the crystal and then bounce off the wall, under the London dispersion force. By sticking to the crystal’s wall the overall pressure exerted by the hydrogen atoms is reduced.

Hydrogen storage is consistently recognized as one of the barriers to the wide spread adoption of hydrogen being used to power cars and buildings.

Contact:

Adam Matzger
University of Michigan
Phone: 734-615-6627
Email: matzger@umich.edu