Hydrogen is the most promising form of energy storage.It can be used to produce electricity directly in a hydrogen fuel cell and can also be burnt like any other fuel thus an alternative of fossil fuels.Fuel cells which run on other fuels like methanol, natural gas etc, they run less cleanly than on hydrogen, and require
higher operating temperatures,more expensive materials, and more careful design to avoid fouling and achieve good long-term performance.
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What are the Issues that prevent Hydrogen Use Uptill Now?
The problems with adoption of hydrogen thus far have resulted from the production and storage of hydrogen gas. Existing processes for producing hydrogen require a large amount of energy which typically comes from fossil fuels, negating the environmental benefits of the otherwise carbon-free and pollution-free fuel.
Storage of hydrogen is also an issue, as it is highly flammable in its free gaseous form. Storing and transporting the fuel safely is therefore a priority. Much research effort has gone into developing a viable commercial solution to these problems.
Role of Nano Particles in hydrogen Production
Photocatalytic nano particles have the ability to use the energy from sunlight to decompose molecules. So far, this has mostly been applied to self-cleaning surfaces, but a good deal of research has gone into investigating and optimizing the photocatalytic properties of various nanomaterials for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Titanium Dioxide nanotubes can convert water into hydrogen and oxygen using the power of sunlight. Further research will try to optimize the technology so it can compete with established natural gas-based routes for manufacturing hydrogen
Nano Particles in storing hydrogen
Locking hydrogen into solid materials has long been seen as the way forward. Hydride-forming materials can absorb hydrogen and store it securely at much higher densities than are available by other means. However, conventional materials cannot store very large amounts of hydrogen, and require extremes of temperature to make the capture and release of hydrogen efficient enough for commercial applications.
Nanostructured materials have unique and tunable properties which are much more suited to this application. Researchers around the globe have found nanomaterials which are capable of storing hydrogen at high densities. The key is to find a material which has controllable hydrogen affinity, and can absorb and release its full capacity of fuel in the shortest time possible.
Nanotechnology has the key to viable solutions to the two major problems holding back the hydrogen economy:
- production of hydrogen using renewable energy sources,
- and safe storage and distribution of hydrogen around the world.
Photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water and storage of hydrogen using novel nanomaterials could form the basis of a viable distribution infrastructure, effectively allowing vehicles and local combined heat and power (CHP) systems to run on solar energy, stored as clean and efficient hydrogen fuel.
