Researchers at a national lab have uncovered a magnesium compound that could store hydrogen more efficiently.
Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are exploring ways to use an inexpensive and layered superconductor compound to efficiently store hydrogen. They have already discovered the key mechanism used by magnesium diboride (MgB2) to absorb hydrogen and the reaction pathway that converts MgB2 to its highest hydrogen capacity form, magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH4)2). Mg(BH4)2 is a particularly promising hydrogen storage material because of its high hydrogen content and attractive thermodynamics. Storing hydrogen is critical for hydrogen-fueled transportation as well as grid resiliency, energy storage, and the use of diverse domestic energy sources, including hydrogen, to reduce oil dependency.