Giorgio Speranza
Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Italy
Title: Graphene and carbon nanostructures/magnesium hybrid materials for hydrogen storage
Biography
Biography: Giorgio Speranza
Abstract
The shortage of non-renewable fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, oil, gas) and the increasing worldwide demand for energy together with the increasing widespread pollution make imperative developing new types of “green” energies sources. It is estimated that the world will need to double its energy supply by 2050 calling for new methods to produce, convert and store energy. The latter is considered as one of the most challenging objective for achieving an economy based on renewable energy sources. However, to date there are no efficient systems to store energy in large amounts. A promising solution is to accumulate energy in a chemical form using hydrogen, which can then be conveniently transported as a gas or stored. In this work we present recent developments in the research for magnesium/graphene, magnesium/carbon nanostructures hybrid materials and their hydrogen-storage properties. MgH2 was synthesized by decomposing n-Dibutyl-Magnesium leading to direct formation of MgH2 nanoparticles on the carbon substrates. TEM images show that the size of the MgH2 particles formed on these substrates can be as low as 1-5 nm in diameters. It is demonstrated that demonstrate that playing with these nanoparticles the Mg-H bond enthalpy lowers. Experimental data show that the H desorption temperature lowers from 350°C typical of bulk MgH2 to 140°C improving the system efficiency. However, still there are open challenges including of synthesis optimization, nanoparticle stabilization on the support and tank design to obtain an efficient hydrogen storage system. Perspectives for use these materials for mobile applications will be also discussed.