A team of researchers from South Korea has introduced a novel membrane technology that significantly improves the efficiency of hydrogen storage systems.
This advancement addresses a longstanding challenge in the field of renewable energy storage.
Hydrogen, a clean energy carrier, is often stored using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) like toluene.
In this method, hydrogen is chemically bonded to toluene to form methylcyclohexane (MCH), facilitating safer and more manageable storage and transportation.
However, a persistent issue has been the unintended movement, or “crossover,” of toluene molecules through the proton exchange membrane (PEM) during the hydrogenation process.
This crossover not only diminishes the system’s efficiency but also contaminates the catalysts involved, leading to reduced performance over time.
Addressing this problem, Dr. Soonyong So from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and Professor Sang-Young Lee from Yonsei University developed a next-generation PEM using a hydrocarbon-based polymer known as sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES).
This new membrane features narrowed hydrophilic channels, approximately 2.1 nanometers in width, which serve as pathways for proton conduction. The design effectively restricts the passage of toluene molecules, reducing their permeability by over 60% compared to the widely used Nafion membrane.
The improved barrier properties of the SPAES membrane have led to a notable increase in the Faradaic efficiency of the hydrogenation process, reaching 72.8%, up from 68.4% observed with Nafion.
Furthermore, during extended operation over 48 hours, the SPAES membrane exhibited a 40% reduction in voltage degradation rate, indicating enhanced durability and consistent performance.
The implications of this development are significant for the future of hydrogen energy. By mitigating the issues associated with toluene crossover, the SPAES membrane paves the way for more efficient and reliable electrochemical hydrogen storage systems.
Such advancements are crucial for the broader adoption of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source, particularly in applications like fuel cell vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions.
The research findings were published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, highlighting the potential of the SPAES membrane to contribute to the evolving hydrogen economy and the pursuit of cleaner energy technologies.
