Work

Selective Formic Acid Decomposition for High‐Pressure Hydrogen Generation: A Mechanistic Study

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: A viable storage system for hydrogen based on selective formic acid decomposition into H2 and CO2 has been developed (see scheme). Continuous generation of H2 of very high purity, over a wide range of pressures and under mild conditions was achieved. magnified image A homogenous catalytic system has been developed that efficiently and selectively decomposes formic acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. [Ru(H2O)6]2+, [Ru(H2O)6]3+ and RuCl3⋅x H2O are all excellent pre‐catalysts in presence of TPPTS (TPPTS=meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphine), the formic acid decomposition taking place in the aqueous phase, under mild conditions and over a large range of pressures. Optimisation of the reaction conditions is described together with a detailed mechanistic study leading to a tentative catalytic cycle. The performance of the catalytic system for continuous hydrogen generation is presented. Overall, the method proposed overcomes the limitations of other catalysts for the decomposition of formic acid making it a viable hydrogen‐storage material.

Source: Chemistry - A European Journal

DOI: 10.1002/chem.200801824

Authors: Céline Fellay, Ning Yan, Paul J. Dyson, Gábor Laurenczy

Institution: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Language: English

Topic: Hydrogen Storage and Materials

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung