Recently, researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University in Russia have developed a new hydrogen storage technology based on metal hydrides. This technology uses titanium-iron alloys as the hydrogen storage material, achieving only a 5%–10% efficiency loss after thousands of hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles. The cost is one-third that of similar products. This innovation not only advances the commercialization of hydrogen energy but also has the potential to transform the energy market landscape.
Under the “dual-carbon” goals, hydrogen energy is considered a vital clean energy source. According to the International Hydrogen Council, hydrogen energy may account for 18% of global energy consumption by 2050. However, current commercialization of hydrogen energy faces multiple challenges, including high costs and immature storage and transportation technologies.
Currently, hydrogen storage methods include high-pressure gas storage, liquid hydrogen storage, and metal hydride storage. Compressed hydrogen storage is the most commonly used method, but it requires stricter safety measures for high-pressure storage and transportation. In contrast, metal hydride storage significantly reduces pressure and shrinks equipment size, making it a popular choice for reusable stationary hydrogen storage devices globally.
Researchers highlighted that lanthanum-based alloys, such as LaNi5, have excellent hydrogen absorption and desorption performance and are the most widely used metal hydride hydrogen storage materials. However, their high cost and reliance on imported raw materials pose significant disadvantages. To address this, researchers are exploring the use of titanium-iron alloys as substitutes for lanthanum-nickel alloys, significantly reducing costs.
Currently, the research team is working to further improve the performance of titanium-iron alloy hydrogen storage materials. Plans include replacing the current fine powder structure with a more compact one and adding additives to enhance the thermal conductivity of the alloy. The research is part of the “Priority 2030” funding program by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
[Source – 上海有色网] 俄罗斯研究人员研制出钛铁合金储氢新技术 https://news.smm.cn/news/103042321
