Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Hydrogen storage compounds'

Concerns about the impact that fossil fuels have on the environment and their increasing price to the consumer have led to research being undertaken to evaluate and refine other energy carriers that will be comparable to fossil fuels. Significant interest has been associated with hydrogen. Hydrogen is widely known as a promising energy carrier for the transportation sector. However at present no known material or storage means exists that satisfies all requirements to enable high-volume automotive application. Transition to using hydrogen storage technology in vehicles might first include its implementation in specialty vehicles, portable power supply and stationary power supply. Due to this fact, research into materials based hydrogen storage has grown significantly over the past decade. Of the wide variety of materials based hydrogen storage, three different materials were chosen as the primary focus of this project; (1) Aluminium nanoparticles, (2) AlH3 nanoparticles and (3) TiMn alloy.Al nanoparticles were synthesised by mechanochemical reactions of AlCl3 + 3Li → Al + 3LiCl using different LiCl:Al volume ratios (6.786:1 , 9.665:1 and 12.544:1). LiCl was used as the buffer. Sample synthesised without the addition of buffer led to the formation of Al nanoparticles with an average particle size of 50 nm. Addition of sufficient quantity of buffer resulted in the formation of Al with average particle sizes down to 13 nm. The addition of LiCl as a buffer helps to separate the synthesized Al particles, essentially restricting particle growth and promoting nanoparticle formation. Attempted hydrogenation of Al nanoparticles (13 nm) using a mixed H2/scCO2 media showed no H2 absorption. This indicates that an Al particle size less than (13 nm) is required to introduce hydrogen into pure Al at pressure and temperature attempt herein (73.8 bar and 31.1C). Furthermore the presence of oxide layer (Al2O3) on Al nanoparticles during scCO2/H2 reaction limited the rate of hydrogen permeation on Al nanoparticles.AlH3 nanoparticles were synthesised by mechanochemical reactions of the 3LiAlH4 + AlCl3 using different LiCl:AlH3 volume ratios (0.76:1, 2:1, 5:1 and 10:1) at 77 K. The addition of LiCl as a buffer leads to the reduction of the synthesized AlH3 crystallite size, restricting AlH3 decomposition and preventing high Al yields. Quantitative Rietveld results coupled with hydrogen desorption measurements suggest the presence of an amorphous AlH3 phase in mechanochemically synthesized samples. TEM results show that the synthesized AlH3 comprised of 10 - 30 nm particle size range. For hydrogen desorption measurements, it is clear that AlH3 particle size reduction when ball milling using buffer does effectively increase the H desorption rate compared to the case without using buffer. For hydrogen absorption measurements, decomposed AlH3 nanoparticles with 10 - 30 nm in size underwent pressures of 280 bar at -196 C, 1420 bar at 25C, 1532 bar at 50°C, 1734 bar at 100°C and 1967 bar at 150°C with no hydrogen absorption was detected.Ti-Mn alloy compounds with the composition TiMn2, Ti0.97Zr0.019Mn1.5Cr0.57 and Ti0.7875Zr0.2625Mn0.8Cr1.2 were synthesised and compared to the commercially available Ti0.97Zr0.019V0.439Fe0.097Cr0.045Al0.026Mn1.5 alloy composition. An amorphous Ti-Mn alloy was formed when the starting reagents were mechanical alloying for 40 h. The corresponding crystalline phase TiMn was formed when the amorphous alloy was annealed at 800C. The addition of a process control agent (Toluene) leads to the formation of a carbide phase (TiC) in the samples. The presence of impurities, carbide (TiC) and oxide (TiO) phases resulted a decrease in C14 laves phase wt.% in the synthesised samples. Only 37.24, 31.5 and 32.81 wt.% C14 phase was formed in TiMn2, Ti0.97Zr0.019Mn1.5Cr0.57 and Ti0.7875Zr0.2625Mn0.8Cr1.2 respectively. The result also showed that the theoretical value of 1.9 hydrogen wt.% could not be reached by these samples.

In principle, most of the properties of solids can be determined by their electronic structures. So the understanding of electronic structures is essential. This thesis presents two classes of materials using ab initio method based on density functional theory. One is heavy metal compounds like Ta2AlC, ThO and the other one is hydrogen storage material namely MgH2 surfaces. The study of correlation and relativistic effects in Ta2AlC are presented. Based on our results, Ta2AlC is a weakly correlated system. Our study shows that the spin - orbital coupling does not play a very important role where as the other relativistic corrections such as mass velocity and Darwin terms have a significant effect on the electronic properties. The stability of rock salt like ThO has been proposed based on the first principle calculation. ThO can be stabilized under pressure. The driving force is the sd to f charge transfer in Th. We have investigated the energetics of hydrogen desorption from the MgH2 (110) and (001) surfaces. The doping of foreign metal elements and strain were used to reduce the dehydrogenation energy. The reduction in dehydrogenation energy is caused by the charge localization on the metal atoms which leads to destabilization and the weakening of metal - hydrogen bonds.

QC 20130327

In a time of global environmental problems due to overuse of fossil fuels, and a subsequent depletion of the supplies, hydrogen is considered as one of the most important renewable future fuels for use in clean energy systems with zero greenhouse-gas emission. Hydrogen storage is the main issue that needs to be solved before the technology can be implemented into key areas such as transport. The high energy density, good stability and reversibility of metal hydrides make them appealing as hydrogen storage materials. In this thesis research on synthesis and hydrogen absorption properties for intermetallic compounds based on scandium and aluminium is reported. The compounds were synthesized by arc melting or induction melting and exposed to hydrogen in a high pressure furnace. Desorption investigations were performed by thermal desorption spectroscopy. The samples were analyzed by x-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy. ScAlNi, crystallizing in the MgZn2-type structure (space group: P63/mmc; a = 5.1434(1) Å, c = 8.1820(2) Å), was found to absorb hydrogen by two different mechanisms at different temperature regions. At ~120 °C hydrogen was absorbed by solid solution formation with estimated compositions up to ScAlNiH0.5. At ~500 °C hydrogen was absorbed by disproportionation of ScAlNi into ScH2 and AlNi. The reaction was found to be fully reversible due to destabilization effects which lowered the decomposition temperature of ScH2 by ~460 °C.

The research project described in the thesis uses atomic-scale computational modelling to investigate the storage of hydrogen in graphite intercalate compounds (GICs). The work is relevant to the energy economy, as hydrogen is a source of clean energy, and can be used efficiently in fuel cells to generate electricity. Storing hydrogen safely has long been a challenge in materials science and, since the proposal of a hydrogen-based transport economy, has attracted great attention. Graphite intercalate compounds offer the possibility of dense storage, because they contain large absorption pores for hydrogen to bind. The absorption mechanisms and patterns in different intercalate compounds are not well understood, and this is the motivation for this work. Alkali and alkaline-earth metal GICs (A/AE-GICs) were modelled using density func- tional theory (and benchmarked with quantum chemistry) to investigate their hydrogen storage capabilities and their stability against decomposition into the metal hydride and pure graphite upon hydrogenation. Detailed studies of the calcium-GIC were per- formed and also a survey of the other A/AE-GICs. The effect of the commonly modelled MC14 GIC compared with the experimental MC12 stoichiometry has been investigated to bridge the gap between experiment and theory. The calcium-GIC was found to favourably absorb hydrogen within U.S. Department of Energy targets, but was found to be extremely unstable. Our investigations showed that all AE-GICs are unstable. Heavier A-GICs were found to stably absorb hydrogen at reasonable volumetric densities at the cost of gravimetric densities. The theoreti- cally modelled MC14 stoichiometry was found to be fundamentally different from the experimental MC12 stoichiometry, with the latter breaking the simple symmetry of the former and offering many more distinct absorption sites and barriers to diffusion. Pair potentials have been built and parametrised to KC14 to aid simple modelling of KCn GICs in, for example, classical molecular dynamics.

The main focus of the present work is the recovery process for spent fuels based on catalytic hydrogenation of liquid organic hydrides (LOH). To gain the knowledge about the possible hurdles of hydrogen loading process, the hydrogenation of 9-ethylcarbazole as a model compound was elected to be studied in more detail. The structures of the intermediates and products of this reaction were characterized for the first time using combined GC-MS and NMR analysis with reference to DFT calculations. The fully saturated product was found to be a mixture of stereoisomers. A reaction model was developed which agreed well with the experimental results. The combined theoretical and experimental approaches were also undertaken to identify catalytic sites on the metal surface and their role in the hydrogenation of 9-ethylcarbazole. Kinetically stable intermediate (Plus 8 [H]) containing a central unsaturated “pyrrole” ring was found to be accumulated in the solution over a ruthenium black catalyst. Its further hydrogenation was found to involve its unusual shuttling from terraced sites to higher indexed sites. The stability of Plus 8 [H] was found to be influenced by the type of active sites present on the surface of the catalyst, as well as by the electronic structure of the metal. In addition, the kinetics of the hydrogenation was analyzed experimentally and the activation energies were obtained for all of the intermediate steps. Further understanding of how the molecules interact with the catalyst surface was provided by examining the hydrogenation activity and selectivity of a series of LOH. The general factors involved in LOH structure- catalyst –activity trend were outlined. Overall, due to a number of defined challenges in the LOH spent fuel recharging, it is believed that this complex H2 storage strategy is not likely to meet the targets for wide scale applications.

The strength and success of the hydrogen economy relies heavily on the storage of hydrogen. Storage systems in which hydrogen is sequestered in a solid material have been shown to be advantageous over storage of hydrogen as a liquid or compressed gas. Many different types of materials have been investigated, yet the desired capacity and uptake/release characteristics required for implementation have not been reached. In this work, porphyrin aggregates were investigated as a new type of material for hydrogen storage. The building blocks of the aggregates are porphyrin molecules that are planar and can assume a face to face arrangement that is also known as H-aggregation. The H-aggregates were formed in solution, upon mixing of aqueous solutions of two different porphyrins, one carrying positively charged and the other one carrying negatively charged functional groups. The cationic porphyrin used was meso-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphine (TAP) and it was combined with four different anionic porphyrins, meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TPPS), meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP), Cu(II) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine, and Fe(III) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine. The force of attraction that held two oppositely charged porphyrin molecules together was electrostatic attraction between the peripheral groups. Solid state aggregates were successfully isolated either by solvent evaporation or by centrifuging and freeze drying. TCPP-TAP and Cu(II)TCPP-TAP aggregates were shown to interact with hydrogen starting from 150 [degrees]C up to 250 [degrees]C. The uptake capacity was about 1 weight %. Although this value is very low, this is the first observation of porphyrin aggregates absorbing hydrogen. This opened the way for further research to improve hydrogen absorption properties of these materials, as well as other materials based on this model.; Two other materials that are also based on planar building blocks were selected to serve as a comparison to the porphyrin aggregates. The first of those materials was metal intercalated graphite compounds. In such compounds, a metal atom is placed between the layers of graphene that make up the graphite. Lithium, calcium and lanthanum were selected in this study. Theoretical hydrogen capacity was calculated for each material based on the hydriding of the metal atoms only. The fraction of that theoretical hydrogen capacity actually displayed by each material increased from La to Ca to Li containing graphite. The weight % hydrogen observed for these materials varied between 0.60 and 2.0 %. The other material tested for comparison was K[sub x]MnO[sub2], a layered structure of MnO[sub2] that contained the K atoms in between oxygen layers. The hydrogen capacity of the K[sub x]MnO[sub2] samples was similar to the other materials tested in the study, slightly above 1 weight %. This work has shown that porphyrin aggregates, carbon based and manganese dioxide based materials are excellent model materials for hydrogen storage. All three materials absorb hydrogen. Porphyrin aggregates have the potential to exhibit adjustable hydrogen uptake and release temperatures owing to their structure that could interact with an external electric or magnetic field. In the layered materials, it is possible to alter interlayer spacing and the particular intercalates to potentially produce a material with an exceptionally large hydrogen capacity. As a result, these materials can have significant impact on the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.
ID: 029809891; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-101).
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Chemistry
Sciences

Ni - MH batteries have superior properties which are long cycle life, low maintenance, high power, light weight, good thermal performance and configurable design. Hydrogen storage alloys play a dominant role in power service life of a Ni - MH battery and determining the electrochemical properties of the battery. LaNi5, belonging to the CaCu5 crystal structure type, satisfy many of the properties. The most important property of LaNi5 is fast hydrogen kinetics. Recently, CaNi5, belonging to same crystal type, has taken some attention due to its low cost, higher hydrogen storage capacity, good kinetic properties. However, the main restriction of its use is its very low cycle life. The aim of the study is to obtain a more stable structure providing higher cycle life by the addition of different alloying elements. In this study, the effect of sixteen alloying elements (Mn, Sm, Sn, Al, Y, Cu, Si, Zn, Cr, Mg, Fe, Dy, V, Ti, Hf and Er) on cycle life was investigated. Sm, Y, Dy, Ti, Hf and Er were added for replacement of Ca and Mn, Sn, Al, Cu, Si, Zn, Cr, Mg, Fe and V were added for replacement of Ni. Alloys were produced by vacuum casting and heat treating followed by ball milling. The cells assembled, using the produced active materials as anode, which were cycled for charging and discharging. As a result, replacement of Ca with Hf, Ti, Dy and Er, and replacement of Ni with Si and Mn were observed to show better cycle durability rather than pure CaNi5.

Recently, ammonia borane has increasingly attracted researchers’ attention because of its merging applications, such as organic synthesis, boron nitride compounds synthesis, and hydrogen storage. This dissertation presents the results from several studies related to ammonia borane. The pressure-induced tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition in ammonia borane was studied in a diamond anvil cell using in situ Raman spectroscopy. We found a positive Clapeyron-slope for this phase transformation in the experiment, which implies that the phase transition from tetragonal to orthorhombic is exothermic. The result of this study indicates that the rehydrogenation of the high pressure orthorhombic phase is expected to be easier than that of the ambient pressure tetragonal phase due to its lower enthalpy. The high pressure behavior of ammonia borane after thermal decomposition was studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy at high pressures up to 10 GPa. The sample of ammonia borane was first decomposed at ~140 degree Celcius and ~0.7 GPa and then compessed step wise in an isolated sample chamber of a diamond anvil cell for Raman spectroscopy measurement. We did not observe the characteristic shift of Raman mode under high pressure due to dihydrogen bonding, indicating that the dihydrogen bonding disappears in the decomposed ammonia borane. Although no chemical rehydrogenation was detected in this study, the decomposed ammonia borane could store extra hydrogen by physical absorption. The effect of nanoconfinement on ammonia borane at high pressures and different temperatures was studied. Ammonia borane was mixed with a type of mesoporous silica, SBA-15, and restricted within a small space of nanometer scale. The nano-scale ammonia borane was decomposed at ~125 degree Celcius in a diamond anvil cell and rehydrogenated after applying high pressures up to ~13 GPa at room temperature. The successful rehydrogenation of decomposed nano-scale ammonia borane gives guidance to further investigations on hydrogen storage. In addition, the high pressure behavior of lithium amidoborane, one derivative of ammonia borane, was studied at different temperatures. Lithium amidoborane (LAB) was decomposed and recompressed in a diamond anvil cell. After applying high pressures on the decomposed lithium amidoborane, its recovery peaks were discovered by Raman spectroscopy. This result suggests that the decomposition of LAB is reversible at high pressures.

Les accumulateurs Ni-MH (Nickel-Métal-Hydrure) sont un sujet prometteur et largement étudié dans les recherches d’une énergie propre et durable. Trouver le matériau idéal pour l'électrode négative à haute densité volumétrique et gravimétrique est la clé pour l’application de cette technologie. Les hydrures métalliques à base de Ti-Ni ont des propriétés équilibrées entre la capacité d’hydrogène et les performances électrochimiques.L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier les effets de substitutions/additions d’éléments et de la mécanosynthèse sur la structure et les propriétés d’hydrogène des alliages Ti-Ni. Dans cette étude, une série d’alliages à base de Ti-Ni avec des substitutions/additions de Mg ou de Zr ont été systématiquement étudiés.Les alliages (TiNi)1-xMgx, (TiH2)1.5Mg0.5Ni, and Ti2-xZrxNi ont été synthétisés par mécanosynthèse à partir de poudres élémentaires. Dans un premier temps, l’influence du temps de broyage et les effets de substitutions/additions sur les microstructures ont été caractérisés par des techniques telles que la DRX, le MEB et le MET. Dans un second temps, les propriétés d’hydrogénation des différents alliages ont été mesurées par des réactions solid-gaz et par cyclage électrochimique.La théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT) en utilisant le programme CASTEP a permis de calculer les enthalpies de formation afin de comparer la stabilité thermodynamique des alliages obtenus. Dans ces travaux de recherche, nous avons identifié les priorités d’alliage des ternaires Ni-Ti-Mg et Ti-Ni-Zr dans des conditions de broyage. La transformation structurale du Ti en phase CFC, induite par l’introduction d’éléments étrangers, a été mise en évidence.Les courbes PCI (Pression-Composition-Isothermes) et les capacités de décharge en fonction du nombre de cycles indiquent les propriétés d’hydrogène des alliages obtenus, y compris TiNi, Ti2Ni (amorphe), Ti-Mg et Ti-Zr
Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal-Hydride) batteries have been a promising and extensively studied topic among clean and sustainable energy researches. Finding the ideal material for the negative electrode with high volumetric and gravimetric densities is the key to apply this technology on broader applications. Metal hydrides based on Ti-Ni have balanced properties between hydrogen capacity and electrochemical performances in cycling.The objective of this thesis is to study the effects of element substitution/doping and mechanical alloying on the structural and hydrogen properties of Ti-Ni alloys. In this study, a series of Ti-Ni based systems with Mg or Zr doping/substitution have been systematically investigated.The metallic compounds (TiNi)1-xMgx, (TiH2)1.5Mg0.5Ni, and Ti2-xZrxNi were synthesized by mechanically alloying from elemental powders.The milling time and effects of Mg, Zr substitution/doping were studied firstly in respect of their microstructures, using characterization techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM (EDX support), followed by the hydrogen properties measurements of the samples by hydrogen solid-gas reaction and electrochemical cycling.A first principle calculation tool based on DFT (Density Functional Theory) was carried out to further investigate the enthalpy of formation in order to compare the thermodynamical stability of the obtained compounds. In the study, we have found the alloying priorities in the ternary alloys Ti-Ni-Mg and Ti-Ni-Zr under milling conditions.A structure transformation of Ti to FCC induced by foreign elements is reported and investigated. Enthalpy of formation per atom of the compounds were obtained by DFT calculations, which helped interpreting the experimental results. PCI (Pressure Composition Isotherms) curves and discharge capacities as the function of cycling numbers revealed the hydrogen properties of the obtained compounds, including TiNi, Ti2Ni (amorphous), Ti-Mg and Ti-Zr

L’utilisation des combustibles fossiles est responsable de l’augmentation de la concentration en gaz à effet de serre dans l’atmosphère. Parmi les solutions de remplacement envisagées, l’hydrogène constitue un vecteur d’énergie très intéressant. Toutefois, cette solution ne sera envisageable que lorsque les problématiques liées à la production de l’hydrogène et à son stockage seront résolues.Le premier objectif de cette thèse porte sur la synthèse et la caractérisation de composés ternaires à base de magnésium dans le système ternaire TR-M-Mg (avec TR = Terres Rares et M = métaux de transition) qui pourraient être de bons candidats pour le stockage de l’hydrogène. Ces composés pourraient de plus avoir d’autres applications, notamment comme matériaux de structure, du fait de leur très faible densité. La composition NdNiMg15 a fait l’objet d’une étude complète. Cette phase cristallise selon une symétrie quadratique avec a= 10,0602(1) et c= 7,7612(2) Å et un groupe d’espace P4/nmm. Un ordre antiferromagnétique à 9 K est observé et la capacité massique de stockage réversible est de 4 %mass. Cette nouvelle phase a montré un effet durcissant sur le magnésium.Le deuxième objectif de cette thèse concerne la production d’hydrogène par hydrolyse i) des composés ternaires TR-M-Mg qui pourrait être considérée comme une possibilité économique et énergétique pour valoriser les déchets de ces composés et ii) des mélanges ternaires TR-M-Mg élaborés par broyage mécanique. Le broyage a permis la création des défauts favorisant ainsi la corrosion des métaux. De plus, la production d'hydrogène par hydrolyse des composites Mg-NdNiMg15 (70, 80 et 90 %mass. Mg) a été réalisée et comparée à celle du composé NdNiMg15 (64 %mass. en Mg). Le mécanisme de corrosion principal déduit des essais électrochimiques sur les composites est la corrosion galvanique
The use of fossil fuels (non-renewable energy) is responsible for the increase of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Among the considered alternatives, hydrogen is seen as the most attractive energy vector. Production and storage of hydrogen is one of the key challenges in developing the hydrogen economy.The first objective of this thesis deal with the synthesis and characterization of magnesium-based ternary compounds in the RE-TM-Mg ternary system (with RE = Rare Earth and TM = transition metals) which could be good candidates for hydrogen storage. These compounds could also have other applications than the hydrogen storage in the future such as light structured material. The NdNiMg15 compound has been the subject of a completed study. This phase crystallizes with a tetragonal symmetry (a= 10.0602(1) and c= 7.7612(2) Å and a space group P4/nmm). It showed an antiferromagnetic ordering at 9 K and a reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 4 %mass. This phase exhibited a hardening effect respect to magnesium compound.The second objective of this thesis concerns the hydrogen production by hydrolysis of i) RE-TM-Mg ternary compounds, which could be considered as an economic and energetic possibility to valorize the waste of these compounds and ii) RE-TM-Mg ternary mixtures prepared by ball milling. The grinding creates defects thus promoting the corrosion of the metals. In addition, the hydrogen production by hydrolysis of the Mg-NdNiMg15 composites (70, 80 and 90 %mass. Mg) was carried out and compared with that of the NdNiMg15 compound (64 %mass. Mg). The main corrosion mechanism determined from the electrochemical measurements of the composites is the galvanic corrosion

L'objectif du projet est de faire émerger de nouveaux alliages de type A,MgBx pro metteurs en termes d'applications électrochimiques, notamment en substituant ou remplaçant le lanthane par d’autres terres rares comme le samarium, l'yttrium ou le gadolinium. En particulier, le projet se focalisera sur l'étude de leur comportement en corrosion en milieu fortement alcalin. Le comportement calendaire et en cyclage de ces matériaux sera analysé et l'influence du magnésium sur la corrosion de tels systèmes sera étudié. Les produits de corrosion seront identifiés conjointement par des techniques de caractérisation morphologique, élémentaire et structurale
The goal of the project is to evidence new A,MgBx alloys with promising capacities for electrochemical application, in particular by substitution of lanthanum with other rare earth such as samarium, yttrium or gadolinium. The project will specially focus on their corrosion behavior in alkaline medium. Calendar and cycling corrosion of these alloys will be studied, as well as the magnesium influence. Corrosion products will be studied by combining morphological, elemental and structural characterization techniques

Sc(AlxNi1-x)2 is a pseudobinary C14 Laves phase and a potential interstitial hydrogen storage material or anode in a Ni-MH battery. A previous study showed that Sc1Al1Ni1 can store hydrogen reversibly; both interstitially and trough decomposition into ScH2 and AlNi. It is also known that the exact composition is very important for the hydrogen storage properties of pseudobinary Laves phases. This thesis work is aimed at synthesising Sc(AlxNi1-x)2 and study the effect of the Ni/Al ratio on the hydrogen absorption/desorption process as well as the interstitial storage capacity. Compositions with high nickel content had the highest capacity (at least 0.67wt% for ScAl0.66Ni1.34) and ones with high aluminium content had the lowest total storage capacity (0wt% for ScAl1.28Ni0.62). The former composition was also shown to absorb and desorb hydrogen during multiple cycles. Desorption of interstitial hydrogen from ScAl0.66Ni1.34 requires 4.6kJ/mol in activation energy.

Les applications portables et stationnaires des accumulateurs Ni-MH nécessitent sans cesse des autonomies de plus en plus importantes. Cet accroissement d’autonomie peut être obtenu en développant de nouveaux composés intermétalliques hydrurables de type ABx (3
Mobile and stationary applications for Ni-MH batteries require continuously more and more energy density. This increased autonomy can be obtained by developing new hydride-forming compounds of ABx-type (3

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Neste trabalho investigou-se a obtenção do composto TiFe a partir da moagem de alta energia de misturas de pós de TiH2 e Fe, seguida de aquecimento sob vácuo para a reação de síntese. No lugar do Ti, o TiH2 foi escolhido como precursor em razão de sua fragilidade, benéfica para a diminuição da aderência dos pós ao ferramental de moagem. Foram preparados dois lotes de misturas obedecendo-se a relação Ti:Fe de 50:50 e 56:44. Ambos foram processados em um moinho do tipo planetário por tempos que variaram de 5 até 40 horas, sob atmosfera de argônio de elevada pureza. Em todos os experimentos foram mantidos constantes a velocidade de rotação do prato do moinho, a quantidade de amostra, o diâmetro e o número de bolas. As amostras moídas foram caracterizadas por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios X (DRX) e fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Apenas TiH2 e Fe foram observados nas amostras moídas, com um grau crescente de mistura em função do tempo de moagem. O composto TiFe nanoestruturado (12,5 a 21,4nm) foi obtido de forma majoritária em todas as amostras após a reação de síntese promovida pelo tratamento térmico a 600ºC (873K). As amostras reagidas foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e DRX. Um equipamento do tipo Sievert, operando sob um fluxo constante (modo dinâmico), foi utilizado para levantar as curvas termodinâmicas de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio. Todas as amostras absorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente (~298K) sem a necessidade de ciclos térmicos de ativação. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com as amostras moídas por 25 e 40 horas, de composição não estequiométrica 56:44. Tais amostras absorveram e dessorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente, sob os platôs de aproximadamente 6,4 e 2,2bar (~0,6 e 0,2MPa), respectivamente. A capacidade máxima de armazenamento foi de 1,06% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,546), sob pressão de até 11bar (1,1MPa), com reversão de até 1,085% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,559), sob pressão de até 1bar (0,1MPa). Estas amostras também apresentaram maior cinética de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio com fluxos de 1,23 (25h) e 2,86cm3/g.min. (40h). Tais resultados são atribuídos à variação composicional da fase TiFe e à maior quantidade de TiH2 livre.
Tese (Doutorado em Tecnologia Nuclear )
IPEN/D
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Aujourd’hui, la diminution des ressources d’énergies fossiles corrélée à l’augmentation des besoins et à l’augmentation du taux de CO2 dans l’atmosphère nous poussent à développer de nouvelles énergies.L’utilisation de l’hydrogène comme vecteur énergétique est une solution. En effet, celui-ci est abondant et sa combustion est très énergétique (3 fois supérieure au pétrole). Cependant, son utilisation se heurte à des problèmes de production, de stockage et d’utilisation. Nous nous sommes ici intéressés au problème du stockage de l’hydrogène à l’état solide. Celui-ci permet d’obtenir des capacités volumiques de stockage importantes (environ 140 g/L) mais est freiné par des capacités massiques et des cinétiques de réaction faibles. Le magnésium se présentant comme un bon candidat en terme de capacité massique (7,6 %), nous nous sommes intéressés aux intermétalliques ternaires TR-M-Mg (TR = terres rares, M = métaux de transition). L’objectif était double : conserver la bonne capacité du magnésium et diminuer l’enthalpie de formation de l’hydrure. Le système TR4NiMg (avec TR = Y et Gd) et les solutions solides dérivées ont été étudiées. Un stockage irréversible de l’hydrogène de 2,5% massique ainsi qu’une transition d’antiferromagnétique à verre de spin ont été observés. Un travail plus exploratoire a permis de découvrir deux nouveaux composés riches en magnésium : LaCuMg8 et Gd13Ni9,5Mg77,5. Ils permettent tous deux l’obtention d’un mélange de phases issu de leur décomposition lors de la première absorption. Ce mélange permet une amélioration significative des propriétés de sorption de l’hydrogène par du magnésium
Nowadays, the decrease of fossil fuel resources, and the increase of energy requirements and concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere induces the development of new energies. The use of hydrogen as energetic vector is a solution. Indeed, it is abundant and its combustion is highly energetic (3 times more than petrol). However, its utilisation is limited by problems of production, storage and use. In this work, we have focused on the problem of solid hydrogen storage. It allows for high volumetric capacity (≈ 140 g/L) but is restricted by low weight capacity and by slow sorption kinetics. Because magnesium is potentially a good candidate according to its high weight capacity (7.6 %wt), we have chosen to work on the ternary compounds RE-M-Mg (RE = Rare earth, M = transition metal). The goal was double: to keep the good capacity of the magnesium and to decrease the enthalpy of formation of the hydride. The RE4NiMg system (with RE = Y and Gd) and the derived solid solutions were studied. An irreversible hydrogen uptake of 2.5% wt and a magnetic properties change from antiferromagnetic to spin glass behaviour were observed.A more exploratory work allowed us to discover two new magnesium rich compounds: LaCuMg8 and Gd13Ni9.5Mg77.5. Both lead to a phase mixture induced by their decomposition during the first absorption. This mixture allows a very significant improvement of the hydrogen sorption properties of magnesium

Neste trabalho investigou-se a obtenção do composto TiFe a partir da moagem de alta energia de misturas de pós de TiH2 e Fe, seguida de aquecimento sob vácuo para a reação de síntese. No lugar do Ti, o TiH2 foi escolhido como precursor em razão de sua fragilidade, benéfica para a diminuição da aderência dos pós ao ferramental de moagem. Foram preparados dois lotes de misturas obedecendo-se a relação Ti:Fe de 50:50 e 56:44. Ambos foram processados em um moinho do tipo planetário por tempos que variaram de 5 até 40 horas, sob atmosfera de argônio de elevada pureza. Em todos os experimentos foram mantidos constantes a velocidade de rotação do prato do moinho, a quantidade de amostra, o diâmetro e o número de bolas. As amostras moídas foram caracterizadas por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios X (DRX) e fluorescência de raios X por dispersão de energia (EDXRF). Apenas TiH2 e Fe foram observados nas amostras moídas, com um grau crescente de mistura em função do tempo de moagem. O composto TiFe nanoestruturado (12,5 a 21,4nm) foi obtido de forma majoritária em todas as amostras após a reação de síntese promovida pelo tratamento térmico a 600ºC (873K). As amostras reagidas foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e DRX. Um equipamento do tipo Sievert, operando sob um fluxo constante (modo dinâmico), foi utilizado para levantar as curvas termodinâmicas de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio. Todas as amostras absorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente (~298K) sem a necessidade de ciclos térmicos de ativação. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com as amostras moídas por 25 e 40 horas, de composição não estequiométrica 56:44. Tais amostras absorveram e dessorveram hidrogênio à temperatura ambiente, sob os platôs de aproximadamente 6,4 e 2,2bar (~0,6 e 0,2MPa), respectivamente. A capacidade máxima de armazenamento foi de 1,06% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,546), sob pressão de até 11bar (1,1MPa), com reversão de até 1,085% em massa de hidrogênio (H:M~0,559), sob pressão de até 1bar (0,1MPa). Estas amostras também apresentaram maior cinética de absorção e dessorção de hidrogênio com fluxos de 1,23 (25h) e 2,86cm3/g.min. (40h). Tais resultados são atribuídos à variação composicional da fase TiFe e à maior quantidade de TiH2 livre.
In this work high-energy ball milling from TiH2 and Fe powder mixtures, followed by post-heating under vacuum, were performed for the reaction synthesis of TiFe compound. TiH2 was used instead of Ti due to its brittleness, preventing strong particles adhesion to the grinding balls and vial walls. Two mixtures batches were prepared following Ti:Fe ratios of 50:50 and 56:44. Both of them were dry-milled in a planetary mill for times ranging from 5 to 40 hours, under high purity argon atmosphere. The speed of main disk rotation, the amount of sample, number and diameter of the balls were kept constant in all experiments. As-milled samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). As-milled materials presented only Fe and TiH2 phases showing increased mixture degree with the milling time. After heat treatment at 600ºC (873K), nanostructured TiFe compound (12.5 to 21.4nm) was mostly formed in all samples. Reacted samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XRD. Hydrogen absorption and desorption thermodynamics curves were determined in a Sievert-type apparatus operating at constant flow (dynamic mode). All samples absorbed hydrogen at room temperature (~298K) requiring no thermal activation cycles. Best results were seen on samples milled at 25 and 40 hours, with non-stoichiometric composition 56:44. Those samples absorbed and desorbed hydrogen at plateaus of 6.4 and 2.2bar (~0.6 and 0.2MPa), respectively. Maximum hydrogen storage capacity was 1.06 wt% (H:M~0,546) at 11bar (1.1MPa), with reversion of 1.085 wt% (H:M~0,559) at 1bar (0.1MPa). Higher hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics were observed in those samples, as well, with flows of 1.23 (25h) and 2.86cm3/g.min. (40h). Such results were assigned to the compositional variation of TiFe phase and to the largest amount of free TiH2.

L’hydrogène est un des moyens envisageables pour réduire les émissions des gaz à effet de serre. Celui-ci est un carburant très abondant, et sa combustion est très énergétique que le pétrole (3 fois supérieure au pétrole). L’un des obstacles de son utilisation est son stockage. Le stockage à l’état solide présente de gros avantages en termes de capacité volumique (i.e. 100 à 200 g/L) et de sécurité. L’hydrure de magnésium MgH2 est le candidat qui présente les meilleurs résultats en termes de capacité massique (7,6 %wt.). Cependant, il est défavorisé par des cinétiques d’hydruration lentes et une température d’utilisation élevée (i.e. hydrure très stable).Nous nous sommes intéressés aux intermétalliques riches en magnésium TR-M-Mg (TR = Nd, Gd et M = Cu, Ni). Nous avons mis en évidence 3 nouvelles compositions : NdNiMg5, GdCuMg4 et GdCuMg12. Un traitement post-fusion à 700°C pendant une semaine suivi d’un refroidissement lent à 6°C / h jusqu’à 300°C permet d’obtenir ces phases. Seule la première composition a pu faire l’objet d’une étude complète. Elle présente un ordre antiférromagnétique à 12 K et sa capacité réversible de stockage est de 2,8 wt.%. Un échantillon presque pur pour la phase GdCuMg12 a pu être obtenu (a = 9,9721(8) Å et c = 7,775(6) Å et G.E. P4/m). Dans le cas de GdCuMg4, les mêmes conditions expérimentales nous ont permis d’obtenir un échantillon presque pur. Sa structure n’a pas encore pu être déterminée
Hydrogen is one of the means to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a very abundant fuel and its combustion is highly energetic (3 times more than petrol). An obstacle to its use is its storage. Storage in the solid state has significant advantages in terms of volume capacity (100 to 200 g/L) and safety. Magnesium hydride MgH2 is the candidate who shows the best results in terms of specific capacity (7,6 %wt) . However, it is disadvantaged by slow hydrogenation kinetics and high temperature use (very stable hydride). We are interested in intermetallic magnesium rich RE-TM-Mg (RE = Nd, Gd and TM = Cu, Ni). We highlighted three new compositions: NdNiMg5, GdCuMg4 and GdCuMg12. A post- fusion treatment at 700°C for one week followed by slow cooling at 6°C / h up to 300°C allows to obtain these phases. Only the first composition has been the subject of a comprehensive study. It has an antiferromagnetic ordering at 12 K and reversible storage capacity of 2,8 %wt. An almost pure sample for GdCuMg12 phase could be obtained (a = 9,9721(8) Å, c = 7,775(6) Å and space group: P4 / m). In the case of GdCuMg4, the same experimental conditions allowed us to obtain a nearly pure sample. Its structure has not yet been determined

Plusieurs verrous scientifiques et technologiques empêchent aujourd'hui de développer une technique et/ou un matériau qui permette de stocker une quantité importante d'hydrogène à pression et température ambiante dans un volume et un poids acceptable pour des applications embarquées. Une possible solution consiste à synthétiser des matériaux hybrides (matériaux poreux/métaux ou alliages) où les processus d'adsorption et d'absorption pourraient coopérer pour obtenir une capacité de stockage d'hydrogène en adéquation avec les besoins des applications. Notre travail a consisté à identifier et caractériser différents matériaux poreux ayant une organisation de pores bien définie et une taille de l'ordre de quelques nanomètres. Parmi eux, ont été choisis : une réplique de carbone (CT) et un réseau organométallique (MOF-5). De plus, plusieurs métaux nobles (Ni, Pd et Pt) ont été choisis pour leur facilité à dissocier l'hydrogène et à former des alliages (Pd-Ni) avec différentes compositions en milieu aqueux (oxydant). Une méthode d'imprégnation par voie chimique ainsi que le broyage mécanique ont été utilisés pour la synthèse des hybrides. L'étude des propriétés structurales, texturales et thermodynamiques (hydrogénation) des composites CT/Pd a montré qu'un effet coopératif existe entre les pores du CT et les nanoparticules métalliques pendant le processus d'ad/absorption d'hydrogène. Cette interaction entraîne une amélioration de la capacité d'hydrogénation par rapport à chacun des constituants de l'hybride.

Une alternative aux énergies fossiles comme vecteur énergétique peut se présenter sous la forme de l'hydrogène et de son stockage. Les hydrures métalliques sont une des options possibles pour le stockage de l'hydrogène. Les accumulateurs alcalins Ni-MH présentent une technologie intéressante pour les applications portables et pour le développement des véhicules électriques hybrides (HEV). Afin de répondre à la demande d'augmentation de la capacité massique des accumulateurs, de nouveaux composés intermétalliques hydrurables de type ABx (3etlt;xetlt;5) sont étudiés. Le groupe A est constitué de terres rares partiellement substituées par du magnésium, le groupe B contient du Ni. Après un état de l'art sur ce type de composés, le travail de cette thèse consiste à rechercher les conditions d'élaboration des composés A1-yMgyNix (3etlt;xetlt;5, 0etlt;yetlt;1, A= La, Pr, Nd) ainsi que de les caractériser d'un point de vue structural et physico-chimique (DRX, microsonde électronique, ICP) et de déterminer leurs propriétés vis-à-vis de l'hydrogène (réac tion solide-gaz et électrochimique). Durant ce travail de nouvelles phases ont été découvertes et caractérisées : les phases (A1-yMgy)5Ni19

La demande en énergie ne cesse d'augmenter et elle satisfaite essentiellement par les énergies fossiles qui présentent une contrainte environnementale vue ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Considéré comme vecteur énergétique, l'hydrogène possède l'immense avantage de ne pas émettre de gaz à effet de serre et notamment du CO2. Son stockage dans des intermétalliques permet d’obtenir des capacités massiques et volumiques supérieures à celles obtenues en voie liquide ou sous pression. Dans ce travail, nous avons élaboré le composé intermétallique quaternaire LaCaMgNi9 par mécanosynthèse et ce selon différents schémas réactionnels. Ce procédés de synthèse est employé pour la première fois, pour la synthèse de cet intermétallique, afin de s'affranchir des difficultés que présentent les autres techniques de synthèse (co-fusion, frittage). Les caractérisations structurales et morphologiques des alliages obtenus ont été réalisées afin de tester leurs performances en tant que matériaux pour électrode négative d’accumulateur Ni-MH par divers techniques de caractérisation électrochimiques et solide-gaz
The increasing energy demand is mainly supplied by fossil sources which had environmental drawback essentially greenhouse gas emission. Considered as an energy carrier, hydrogen has the huge advantage to be clean. Its storage in intermetallic compound leads too higher hydration capacities than liquid and compressed storage. In this work, LaCaMgNi9 quaternary type alloy has been synthesized, for the first time, by mechanical alloying in order to avoid the inherent difficulties of the fusion technique. The structural and morphological characterization of the obtained alloys were performed. Their hydrogen related properties were examined (solid-gas and electrochemical reactions) in order to study their performance as negative electrode material in Ni-MH batteries

The hydrogen absorption behavior of organic-compound clathrate hydrates was investigated using five kinds of organic compounds as well as tetrahydrofuran (THF). These hydrates were pressurized by hydrogen, and Raman analysis, the determination of the amount of hydrogen and calorimetric measurement were carried out. The Raman results show that the samples investigated in this work formed binary clathrate hydrate of hydrogen and each organic compound. The organic-compound clathrate hydrates presented similar performances to that of THF clathrate hydrate regarding hydrogen absorption and heat of dissociation. These results suggested that the organic compounds investigated in this work may become alternatives to THF.

W niniejszej pracy zaprezentowano wyniki badań borowodorku itru oraz jego pochodnych, będących substancjami bogatymi w wodór i w związku z tym, potencjalnymi stałymi magazynami tego pierwiastka. Przedstawione wyniki badań własnych zostały opatrzone obszernym wstępem obrazującym problematykę magazynowania wodoru dla zasilania ogniw paliwowych, a także fizykochemię substancji bogatych w wodór, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem borowodorków metali, oraz właściwości chemiczne itru. Opisano również szczegóły zastosowanych technik badawczych wraz z metodami interpretacji wyników. Główną część pracy poświęcono borowodorkowi itru, Y(BH4)3, rozpoczynając od omówienia prób opracowania metod jego syntezy, które byłyby łatwiej skalowalne do rozmiarów przemysłowych niż stosowane często w badaniach borowodorków metody mechanochemiczne. Mimo licznych prób, kilkanaście zbadanych ścieżek rekcji nie doprowadziło do oczekiwanego związku; został on otrzymany jedynie w reakcji mechanochemicznej: YCl3 + 3 LiBH4 → Y(BH4)3 + 3 LiCl (1). Co ciekawe, borowodorek itru powstaje wyłącznie w przypadku reakcji YCl3 z LiBH4; zarówno zastąpienie Cl− przez F−, jak też Li+ przez Na+ skutkuje niemożnością otrzymania Y(BH4) tą metodą. Otrzymany Y(BH4)3 został scharakteryzowany z użyciem proszkowej dyfrakcji rentgenowskiej, oraz wibracyjnej spektroskopii absorpcyjnej w podczerwieni, oraz termograwimetrii i skaningowej kalorymetrii różnicowej. Zbadane zostały także stałe i gazowe produkty rozkładu termicznego tego borowodorku, co doprowadziło do wykrycia i opisania fazy wysokotemperaturowej borowodorku itru, β-Y(BH4)3. Faza ta okazała się być mniej stabilna termicznie niż otrzymywana bezpośrednio w wyniku mielenia wysokoenergetycznego, co objawiało się wyraźnie niższą energią aktywacji, oraz niższą temperaturą pierwszego etapu rozkładu termicznego. Ponadto, został zsyntezowany Y(BD4)3, dzięki któremu można było oszacować wpływ podstawienia izotopowego na właściwości borowodorku itru. Aby obniżyć temperaturę konieczną do uwolnienia wodoru z Y(BH4)3 zastosowano różne sposoby modyfikacji tego borowodorku, uzyskując kompozyty Y(BH4)3/nLiNH2, n = 1,5; 3; 6; MBH4/Y(BH4)3, dla M = Li, Na, oraz nowe związki chemiczne, KY(BH4)4, (CH3)4NY(BH4)4 i (C4H9)4NY(BH4)4. Kompozyty Y(BH4)3/nLiNH2, choć zgodnie z oczekiwaniami wykazywały wyraźnie niższą temperaturę rozkładu w stosunku do macierzystych związków (LiNH2 i Y(BH4)3), to znaczna emisja amoniaku wraz z wodorem, obserwowana przy ogrzewaniu próbek w piecu TGA z jednoczesną analizą gazów (FTIR, MS), spowodowała zaniechanie dalszych ich badań. Pozostałe kompozyty i pochodne nieorganiczne borowodorku itru wydzielają dość czysty wodór, a procesy ich rozkładu termicznego zostały dokładnie zbadane, łącznie z identyfikacją wielu stałych produktów. Dla nowych związków chemicznych rozwiązłem struktury krystaliczne z dyfrakcyjnych danych proszkowych, a dla (C4H9)4NY(BH4)4 również z danych monokrystalicznych. Ten ostatni związek stanowi przykład pierwszego homoleptycznego borowodorku itru otrzymanego jako czysty związek i może stanowić dogodny substrat do syntezy innych połączeń zawierających anion [Y(BH4)4]− (w związku ze swoją znaczną rozpuszczalnością w niepolarnych rozpuszczalnikach organicznych). Choć substancje opisywane w niniejszej pracy z różnych powodów nie nadają się do bezpośredniego zastosowania praktycznego jako magazyny wodoru, stanowią przykład rodziny związków chemicznych o ciekawej chemii i istotnie rozszerzają wiedzę na temat podobnych połączeń.
In this thesis I have described the results of my investigations of hydrogen-rich, solid state hydrogen stores: yttrium borohydride and its derivatives. The description of the experimental findings has been preceded by a comprehensive introduction to the issue of hydrogen storage for fuel cells, physics and chemistry of hydrogen-rich compounds with the emphasis on metal borohydrides, and chemical properties of yttrium. The applied experimental end theoretical methods have also been described, including the technical details of experiments performed. The main part of the thesis is devoted to yttrium borohydride, Y(BH4)3, and begins with the report on the development of the preparative chemistry of this compound. Despite significant efforts, only one reaction led to the desired product: YCl3 + 3 LiBH4 → Y(BH4)3 + 3 LiCl (1). Reaction (1) has been performed via mechanochemical activation during a high-energy disc milling, which does not require any solvent but is not easily scalable to industrial quantities. Reaction (1) results in the product contaminated with a LiCl by-product. Interestingly, similar processes for YF3, or/and NaBH4 as substrates have not led to Y(BH4)3. Y(BH4)3 has been characterised with powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry coupled with differential scanning calorimetry and evolved gas analysis encompassing infrared and mass spectroscopy. Investigation of the solid state products of the thermal decomposition resulted in discovery of high-temperature polymorphic phase of yttrium borohydride, β-Y(BH4)3. This polymorh is less thermally stable than α-Y(BH4)3, which is demonstrated by a significantly lower activation energy and a lower temperature of the first stage of its thermal decomposition. In addition, Y(BD4)3 has been prepared and the isotope effects of H → D substitution have been analysed. Various modification methods have been applied to decrease the temperature of H2 emission from Y(BH4)3. The composites: Y(BH4)3/nLiBH4, n = 1.5, 3, 6, MBH4/Y(BH4)3, M = Li, Na as well as the new compounds: KY(BH4)4, (CH3)4NY(BH4)4 and (C4H9)4NY(BH4)4 have been prepared and characterised. Y(BH4)3/nLiBH4 composites, proton-hydride hydrogen stores, revealed considerably lower thermal decomposition temperature as compared to both Y(BH4)3 and LiNH2. However, the emission of NH3 disqualifies these composites as hydrogen stores. The other studied derivatives of yttrium borohydride listed above, except those contining tetraalkylammonium cations, release a nearly pure hydrogen gas; their thermal decomposition processes have been characterised, including the characteristics of solid state products. Crystal structures of the new compounds have been solved and refined from powder X-ray diffraction data. The monocrystal diffraction has been used to solve the structure of (CH3)4NY(BH4)4, which is the first homoleptic yttrium borohydride prepared as a pure compound. (CH3)4NY(BH4)4 constitutes a convenient precursor towards preparation of various compounds containing [Y(BH4)4]- anion. While the investigated compound/composites could not serve as commercial hydrogen stores for various reasons, they reveal interesting chemistry and serve to expand our knowledge of transition metal borohydrides.