Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
  • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
  • C01B3/0005—Reversible uptake of hydrogen by an appropriate medium, i.e. based on physical or chemical sorption phenomena or on reversible chemical reactions, e.g. for hydrogen storage purposes ; Reversible gettering of hydrogen; Reversible uptake of hydrogen by electrodes
  • C01B3/001—Reversible uptake of hydrogen by an appropriate medium, i.e. based on physical or chemical sorption phenomena or on reversible chemical reactions, e.g. for hydrogen storage purposes ; Reversible gettering of hydrogen; Reversible uptake of hydrogen by electrodes characterised by the uptaking medium; Treatment thereof
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0207—Compounds of Sc, Y or Lanthanides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0211—Compounds of Ti, Zr, Hf
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0214—Compounds of V, Nb, Ta
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0218—Compounds of Cr, Mo, W
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0222—Compounds of Mn, Re
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0225—Compounds of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0225—Compounds of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt
  • B01J20/0229—Compounds of Fe
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/02—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material
  • B01J20/0203—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of metals not provided for in B01J20/04
  • B01J20/0259—Compounds of N, P, As, Sb, Bi
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
  • B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
  • B01J20/223—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material containing metals, e.g. organo-metallic compounds, coordination complexes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
  • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
  • C01B3/0005—Reversible uptake of hydrogen by an appropriate medium, i.e. based on physical or chemical sorption phenomena or on reversible chemical reactions, e.g. for hydrogen storage purposes ; Reversible gettering of hydrogen; Reversible uptake of hydrogen by electrodes
  • C01B3/001—Reversible uptake of hydrogen by an appropriate medium, i.e. based on physical or chemical sorption phenomena or on reversible chemical reactions, e.g. for hydrogen storage purposes ; Reversible gettering of hydrogen; Reversible uptake of hydrogen by electrodes characterised by the uptaking medium; Treatment thereof
  • C01B3/0026—Reversible uptake of hydrogen by an appropriate medium, i.e. based on physical or chemical sorption phenomena or on reversible chemical reactions, e.g. for hydrogen storage purposes ; Reversible gettering of hydrogen; Reversible uptake of hydrogen by electrodes characterised by the uptaking medium; Treatment thereof of one single metal or a rare earth metal; Treatment thereof
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B45/00—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product
  • C06B45/04—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product comprising solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix not used for explosives where the matrix consists essentially of nitrated carbohydrates or a low molecular organic explosive
  • C06B45/06—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product comprising solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix not used for explosives where the matrix consists essentially of nitrated carbohydrates or a low molecular organic explosive the solid solution or matrix containing an organic component
  • C06B45/10—Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product comprising solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix not used for explosives where the matrix consists essentially of nitrated carbohydrates or a low molecular organic explosive the solid solution or matrix containing an organic component the organic component containing a resin
  • C06B45/105—The resin being a polymer bearing energetic groups or containing a soluble organic explosive
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
  • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
  • C06B47/00—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase
  • C06B47/02—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase the components comprising a binary propellant
  • C06B47/08—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase the components comprising a binary propellant a component containing hydrazine or a hydrazine derivative
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07F—ACYCLIC, CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OTHER THAN CARBON, HYDROGEN, HALOGEN, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM
  • C07F9/00—Compounds containing elements of Groups 5 or 15 of the Periodic Table
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07F—ACYCLIC, CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OTHER THAN CARBON, HYDROGEN, HALOGEN, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM
  • C07F9/00—Compounds containing elements of Groups 5 or 15 of the Periodic Table
  • C07F9/005—Compounds of elements of Group 5 of the Periodic Table without metal-carbon linkages
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/24—Electrodes for alkaline accumulators
  • H01M4/242—Hydrogen storage electrodes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/60—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of organic compounds
  • H01M4/602—Polymers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
  • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
  • H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
  • H01M8/04208—Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
  • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
  • H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
  • H01M8/04216—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

• the present invention relates to metal hydrazide materials, and in particular, to metal hydrazide polymers useful for storing hydrogen.
• Hydrogen is a well known alternative energy source that has more than three times the energy density by mass than currently used hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline.
• hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline.
• hydrogen has the disadvantage of being difficult to store and transport.
• hydrogen storage has a low energy storage density by volume relative to hydrocarbon fuels. Therefore, with all other factors beings equal, in order to store the same amount of energy, hydrogen storage requires a much larger and heavier storage tank than hydrocarbon fuel storage.
• Gravimetric capacity is a measure of the amount of hydrogen that can be stored per unit mass of the storage system.
• Volumetric capacity is a measure of the amount hydrogen that can be stored per unit volume of the storage system. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has set targets for hydrogen storage for 2010 and 2015.
• the DOE target is to store hydrogen at a gravimetric capacity of about 6 wt % and a volumetric capacity of about 60 kg/m 3 .
• the DOE target is to store hydrogen at a gravimetric capacity of about 9 wt % and a volumetric capacity of about 80 kg/m 3 .
• Another technique for storing hydrogen involves converting hydrogen gas to liquid hydrogen.
• This technique requires cryogenic storage because hydrogen has a very low boiling point of -252.882 0 C or -423.188 0 F.
• the liquification of hydrogen requires a large amount of energy to maintain these extremely low temperatures.
• the storage tank for liquid hydrogen requires complex and expensive insulation in order to prevent the liquid hydrogen from boiling off.
• liquid hydrogen has a lower energy density by volume than hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, by a factor of about 4.
• a further technique of hydrogen storage involves reacting H 2 with another compound.
• Metal hydrides such as LiH and NaAlH 4 , are commonly used in this technique.
• hydrides have the disadvantage of being generally combustible upon exposure to moist air, and are toxic to humans.
• the present invention provides novel polymers.
• the present invention provides a polymer comprising -[MN 2 ]- as a repeating unit, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof.
• the present invention provides a polymer comprising -[M 2 N 3 ]- as a repeating unit, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof.
• the present invention provides a polymer comprising a repeating unit selected from the group consisting Of -[MN 2 ]-, -[M 2 N 3 ]-, and mixtures thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof.
• the present invention provides new polymers and compounds for use in hydrogen storage, methods of producing such polymers and compounds, methods of using such polymers and compounds for storing hydrogen, and systems for storing hydrogen using such polymers and compounds.
• An object of the present invention is to provide new materials for use in hydrogen storage.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide materials which can store and release hydrogen without requiring the input of a significant amount of energy during the binding or release of hydrogen.
• M is preferably a transition metal, and more preferably an early transition metal.
• M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, M is Ti or V.
• the polymers of the present invention are preferably in gel form or solid form. Preferably, the polymers of the present invention are in crystalline form.
• the polymers of the present invention may contain one or more residual groups in the structure of the polymer. Preferably, the one or more residual groups are present in an amount of 40% by weight of the polymer or less, more preferably 25% by weight of the polymer or less, and more preferably 10% by weight of the polymer or less. Preferably, the one or more residual groups comprise one or more atoms selected from the group consisting of C, N and H.
• the polymers of the present invention are preferably used for hydrogen storage.
• the polymers of the present invention are able to bind and store hydrogen without requiring any significant input of heat energy to facilitate the binding.
• the polymers of the present invention, where M is Ti can preferably store hydrogen at a gravimetric capacity of 4 to 9 wt % and at a volumetric capacity of 80 to 180 kg/m 3 , and more preferably at a gravimetric capacity of 6 wt% and at a volumetric capacity of 150 [0019]
• the present invention provides a method of storing hydrogen in a system, said method comprising: (i) providing a polymer in the system, wherein the polymer comprises repeating units selected from the group consisting Of -[MN 2 ]-, -[M 2 N 3 ]-, and mixtures thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting Sc, Ti, V. Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof; (i) providing a polymer in the system, wherein the polymer comprises repeating units selected from the group consisting
• the hydrogen binds with the M atoms in the polymer.
• the hydrogen binds to M by the Kubas interaction.
• the polymer in the system is in gel form.
• the hydrogen becomes a component of the gel.
• the method of storing hydrogen in a system of the present invention is preferably carried out without adding heat to the system.
• the method of storing hydrogen in a system of the present invention is carried out without cooling the system.
• the system preferably has a temperature of up to 200 0 C, more preferably -300 0 C to 15O 0 C, more preferably -200 0 C to 100 0 C, more preferably O 0 C to 5O 0 C, more preferably 1 O 0 C to 3O 0 C, and even more preferably 20 0 C to 25 0 C.
• the system is preferably free of oxygen to prevent the oxidation of metal in the polymer.
• the step of adding hydrogen to the system increases hydrogen pressure in the system. This increase in hydrogen pressure allows the polymer in the system to bind and store greater amounts of hydrogen.
• the hydrogen pressure in the system is increased to 30 arm or more, more preferably 30 atm to 500 arm, even more preferably 50 atm to 200 atm, and even more preferably 75 atm to 100 atm.
• the method of storing hydrogen of the present invention preferably further comprises a step of releasing the hydrogen pressure in the system.
• Releasing the hydrogen pressure in the system causes the hydrogen to be released from the polymer.
• the step of releasing the hydrogen pressure in the system is preferably carried out by allowing hydrogen gas to escape from the system, thus decreasing the hydrogen pressure.
• the step of releasing the hydrogen pressure decreases the hydrogen pressure in the system to 100 atm or less, more preferably 50 atm or less, more preferably 30 atm or less, and even more preferably 20 atm or less.
• the polymers of the present invention are able to store greater amounts of hydrogen.
• the hydrogen pressure in the system is preferably increased, thus allowing more hydrogen to be stored.
• the hydrogen pressure in the system is preferably increased using a compressor, preferably a gas compressor, which pumps hydrogen into the system.
• the hydrogen can be released from the polymers of the present invention by decreasing the hydrogen pressure in the system.
• a step of decreasing the pressure in the system can be conducted at room temperature.
• the hydrogen pressure is decreased when hydrogen gas is allowed to escape from the system. At room temperature, virtually 100% of the hydrogen that is added into the system can be released from the system when desired.
• the present invention provides a system for storing hydrogen, the system comprising a storage tank and a polymer inside the storage tank, wherein the polymer comprises repeating units selected from the group consisting Of -[MN 2 ]-, -[M 2 N 3 ]-, and mixtures thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof.
• the storage tank comprises one or more openings in a wall of the storage tank. Fluids, such as hydrogen gas, can preferably pass into and out of the storage tank through the one or more openings.
• the system for storing hydrogen preferably further comprises one or more valves which control the passage of fluids through the one or more openings.
• the one or more valves can preferably be used to release pressure inside the storage tank by opening said one or more valves and allowing fluids to pass out of the storage tank through the one or more openings.
• the system further comprises a compressor for adding hydrogen into the storage tank.
• the compressor is a gas compressor which pumps hydrogen into the storage tank, thus increasing hydrogen pressure inside the storage tank.
• the storage tank is preferably enclosed.
• the storage tank is made of metal, and more preferably, the storage tank is made of steel or aluminum.
• the storage tank may be made of a composite material, such as a composite of fibreglass and aramid.
• the storage tank may be made of a carbon fibre with a liner.
• the liner may be a polymer liner, such as a thermoplastic liner, or a metal liner, such as a steel liner or an aluminum liner.
• Hydrogen may be added and stored in the system, and subsequently released from the system, many times without a significant decrease in the hydrogen storage capacity of the system.
• a significant decrease in the hydrogen storage capacity of the system would be, for example, a decrease of 10% by weight of the total hydrogen that the system can store.
• the system can be filled with hydrogen and subsequently release hydrogen at least 1000 times without a significant decrease in the storage capacity of the system, more preferably at least 1500 times, and even more preferably at least 2000 times.
• the present invention also provides novel methods for producing the novel polymers of the present invention.
• a preferred method comprises: (i) reacting M with R to produce compounds selected from the group consisting Of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof, and R is a sterically demanding group or a group that protects a low coordination number for M; and (ii) reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine to produce a polymer comprising repeating units selected from the group consisting of -[MN 2 ]-, -[M 2 N 3 ]-, and mixtures thereof.
• the step of reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine is carried out in an inert atmosphere.
• the inert atmosphere may, for example, comprise nitrogen.
• the inert atmosphere is free of oxygen.
• the step of reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine is carried out in the presence of a solvent.
• the solvent is preferably a hydrocarbon solvent, such as, but not limited to benzene, kerosene, toluene and xylene.
• heat energy may be input during the step of reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine to increase the rate of the reaction.
• the step of reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine is carried out at a temperature of O 0 C to 300 0 C, more preferably 5O 0 C to 200 0 C, and even more preferably 100 0 C to 200 0 C.
• the step of reacting the compounds selected from the group consisting Of MR 3 , MR 4 , and mixtures thereof with hydrazine is carried out at a pressure of 1 atm to 10 atm, more preferably 1 atm to 4 arm, and even more preferably 1 atm to 2 atm. Contamination of the reaction is reduced when the pressure is raised above 1 atm.
• the present invention provides a method of producing a polymer, said method comprising: (i) reacting Cr with (CHs) 3 SiCH 2 to produce Cr 4 [(CH 3 ) 3 SiCH 2 ]8; and (ii) reacting Cr 4 [(CH 3 ) 3 SiCH 2 ] g with hydrazine to produce a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises repeating units selected from the group consisting Of -[CrN 2 ]-, -[Cr 2 Ns]-, and mixtures thereof.
• the novel intermediate compound is Cr 4 [(CH3)3SiCH 2 ]8.
• the present invention also provides novel compounds which act as intermediates in the method of producing the polymers of the present invention.
• the present invention provides a compound having the chemical formula MR 3 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof, and R is a sterically demanding group or a group that protects a low coordination number for M.
• the present invention provides a compound having the chemical formula MR 4 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, and mixtures thereof, and R is a sterically demanding group or a group that protects a low coordination number for M.
• M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, M is Ti or V.
• R can preferably be a sterically demanding group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, and an amido group. These sterically demanding groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. A substituent may replace a hydrogen atom in any of the alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group or amido group. These sterically demanding groups may be straight chain or branched or cyclic or the like.
• the alkyl group preferably comprises 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably is methyl.
• R can preferably be a group that protects a low coordination number for
• M selected from the group consisting of an aryl group, an ether group, and an alkenyl group.
• the aryl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.
• a substituent may replace a hydrogen atom in the aryl group.
• the aryl group can preferably be selected from the group consisting of a phenyl group, a benzyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, and a naphthyl group, and is more preferably a benzyl group.
• a preferred benzyl group is a mesityl group, which is also known as a 1,3,5- trimethylbenzyl group.
• the ether group may be substituted or unsubstituted.
• a substituent may replace a hydrogen atom in the ether group.
• the ether group is preferably tetrahydrofuran.
• the ether group may be straight chain or branched or cyclic or the like.
• the alkenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.
• a substituent may replace a hydrogen atom in the alkenyl group.
• the alkenyl group is preferably an allyl group.
• the alkenyl group may be straight chain or branched or cyclic or the like.
• R is bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl.
• Another preferred example of R is pentylene.
• Preferred examples of the novel intermediate compound include, but are not limited to, trismesitylvanadium, tribenzyltitanium, tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]titanium, and trispentylenetitanium.
• Other preferred examples of the novel intermediate compound include, but are not limited to V(mesityl) 3 .tetrahydrofuran and tetrabenzyltitanium.
• the coordination number for M is the number of points at which ligands are attached to M, where the ligands are attached to M either by single bonds or multiple bonds.
• a group that is "sterically demanding' " is a group that binds to M, and due to the sterically demanding group's size, prevents other ligands from binding with M. Examples of such sterically demanding groups are alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups and amido groups. Preventing other ligands from binding with M maintains a low coordination number for M.
• a group that "'protects a low coordination number for M ' ' is a group that binds to M, and prevents other ligands from binding with M.
• Examples of such groups are aryl groups and alkenyl groups. Preventing other ligands from binding with M maintains a low coordination number for M.
• the group can prevent other ligands from binding to M by means known to persons skilled in the art, such as by steric effects and/or electronic effects.
• Steric effects may include, but are not limited to, steric hindrance and steric shielding.
• Electronic effects may include, but are not limited to, induction, conjunction, orbital symmetry, electrostatic interactions and spin state.
• the polymers of the present invention are useful in other applications, such as propellants, battery technologies, sorbents, and sensors.
• a propellant is a material that is used to move or propel an object, such as a jet or rocket.
• a propellant may comprise a fuel and an oxidizer.
• the fuel may be, for example, gasoline, jet fuel or rocket fuel.
• the polymers of the present invention may preferably be used in a propellant.
• the propellant further comprises H 2 , and the H 2 binds to M of the polymers of the present invention.
• the binding Of H 2 preferably binds to M by a Kubas interaction.
• the H 2 is preferably in liquid form.
• the propellant further comprises an oxidizer.
• the oxidizer is liquid oxygen.
• the propellant is used to propel a jet or a rocket.
• a battery comprises one or more electrochemical cells which convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
• the polymer of the present invention may preferably be used to bind to and store a compound in a battery.
• the compound that is stored may preferably be H 2 .
• the battery converts energy stored in the HT into electrical energy.
• a sorbent is a material that is used to absorb a liquid or a gas.
• the polymer of the present invention may preferably be used as a sorbent to absorb a liquid or a gas.
• the polymer of the present invention absorbs hydrogen.
• the hydrogen is preferably in liquid form or in gas form.
• a sensor is used to detect a substance or to measure a physical quantity.
• the sensor gives a signal that the substance has been detected or gives a signal representing the measurement of the physical quantity.
• the signal can be read by an observer or by an instrument.
• the polymer of the present invention may preferably be used in a sensor.
• the polymer of the present invention detects hydrogen in a system.
• the polymer of the present invention measures the amount of hydrogen that is present in a system.
• the hydrogen is preferably in liquid form or in gas form.
• the present invention provides use of the polymer of the present invention for hydrogen storage.
• Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the novel intermediate compounds of the present invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the novel polymers of the present invention with H 2 bound to the metal centres of the polymer.
• Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the system for storing hydrogen of the present invention.
• Figure 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the system shown in
• Figure 3 attached to a hydrogen fuel cell.
• Figure 5 shows the powder X-ray diffraction of vanadium hydrazide materials, specifically for Al 50, B 150, C 150, and Dl 50 samples.
• Figure 6 shows nitrogen adsorption - desorption isotherms where the samples of vanadium hydrazide materials were measured on an ASAP-2010 instrument at 77K.
• Figure 7 shows the valence region of XPS spectrum of vanadium hydrazide materials heated to 150 0 C with different ratios of hydrazine.
• Figure 8 shows the vanadium 2pl/2 and 2p3/2 and oxygen I S region of
• Figure 9 shows the peak fitting of vanadium 2pl/2 and 2p3/2 emissions in the XPS spectrum of A 150 sample of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Figure 10 shows the peak fitting of vanadium 2pl/2 and 2p3/2 emissions in the XPS spectrum of B 150 sample of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Figure 1 1 shows the peak fitting of vanadium 2pl/2 and 2p3/2 emissions in the XPS spectrum of C 150 sample of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Figure 12 shows the peak fitting of vanadium 2pl/2 and 2p3/2 emissions in the XPS spectrum of D 150 sample of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Figure 13 shows the N I S region of XPS Spectrum of vanadium hydrazide materials heated to 150 0 C with different ratios of hydrazine.
• Figure 14 shows the peak fitting of N 1 S region of XPS Spectrum of A 150 sample of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Figure 15 shows the peak fitting of N I S region of XPS Spectrum of
• Figure 16 shows the peak fitting of N 1 S region of XPS Spectrum of
• Figure 18 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption excess storage isotherms of A-series vanadium hydrazide materials synthesized with a V:hydrazine ratio of 4:3.
• Figure 19 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption excess storage isotherms of B-series vanadium hydrazide materials synthesized with a V:hydrazine ratio of 1 : 1.
• Figure 20 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption excess storage isotherms of C-series vanadium hydrazide materials synthesized with a V:hydrazine ratio of 1 : 1.5.
• Figure 21 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption excess storage isotherms of D-series vanadium hydrazide materials synthesized with a V:hydrazine ratio of 1:2.
• Figure 22 shows the hydrogen adsorption capacity at 298K in a 20 cycle test of the Cl 50 sample.
• Figure 23 shows the heat of hydrogen adsorption on vanadium hydrazide materials and on carbon AX-21.
• Figure 24 shows the room-temperature EPR spectra of vanadium hydrazide gel Cl 50 both: (a) prior to exposure to hydrogen gas, and (b) after exposure to hydrogen gas.
• Figure 25 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the novel polymers of the present invention.
• Figure 26 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherms of two preferred titanium hydrazide materials which are: (a) dried at 100 0 C; and (b) dried at
• Figure 27 shows: (a) a preferred embodiment of the novel intermediate titanium compounds of the present invention; and (b ⁇ the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm of a preferred titanium hydrazide material obtained using this preferred intermediate compound.
• Figure 28 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm of a preferred titanium hydrazide material.
• Figure 29 shows the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm of a preferred chromium hydrazide material.
• the preferred starting material is a transition metal.
• a transition metal is understood as referring to an element whose atom has an incomplete d sub-shell, or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d sub-shell.
• the atoms of transition metals can have between 1 to 10 d electrons in the outermost shell. The presence of d electrons in the outermost shell make transition metals suitable for Kubas interactions, as described below.
• the preferred transition metals for use in the present invention are early transition metals, preferably with low valency numbers and low coordination numbers.
• Ti is used as a starting material in the preferred method described herein. In other preferred methods, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zr, Nb, Mo, or mixtures thereof can be used.
• the starting material, Ti is reacted with R groups.
• the R groups are preferably sterically demanding groups, such as, but not limited to, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, and amido groups.
• the R groups may also preferably be groups that protect a low coordination number for Ti, such as, but not limited to, aryl groups, ether groups, and alkenyl groups.
• the R groups may be substituted or unsubstiruted.
• the R groups may be straight chain or branched or cyclic or the like.
• the R groups are alkyl groups.
• the alkyl groups may be, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or pentyl.
• the alkyl groups may be straight chain or branched or cyclic or the like.
• the alkyl groups are methyl groups.
• Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the novel intermediate compounds of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of MR 3 , wherein M is Ti, and R is the alkyl group CH 3 .
• the intermediate compounds, MR 3 and MR 4 are then reacted with hydrazine, N 2 H 4 . This reaction preferably takes place in an inert atmosphere.
• the inert atmosphere preferably comprises nitrogen.
• the inert atmosphere is free of oxygen to prevent oxidation of M.
• the reaction of the intermediate compounds with hydrazine preferably takes place in the presence of a solvent, more preferably a hydrocarbon solvent.
• a solvent more preferably a hydrocarbon solvent.
• Preferred hydrocarbon solvents may be, but are not limited to, benzene, kerosene, toluene, and xylene.
• the reaction of the intermediate compounds with hydrazine preferably takes place at a temperature of 0 0 C to 300 0 C, more preferably at a temperature of 5O 0 C to 200 0 C, and even more preferably at a temperature of 100 0 C to 200 0 C.
• heat energy is added to increase the rate of the reaction.
• the reaction of the intermediate compounds, MR 3 and MR 4 , with hydrazine produces preferred polymers of the present invention, wherein said polymers have the following repeating units: [00106] (i) -[MN 2 ]- wherein M is Ti; and [00107] (ii) - [M 2 N 3 ] - wherein M is Ti .
• Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the novel polymers of the present invention, where the preferred embodiment has the repeating unit -[MN 2 ]-, wherein M is Ti. Figure 2 also shows residual R groups within the structure of the polymer.
• metal hydrazide polymers The polymers of the present invention are referred to in the present application as "metal hydrazide polymers".
• metal hydrazide refers to the reaction of the metal, M, with hydrazine, N 2 H 4 , to form the polymers of the present invention.
• the polymers of the present invention may be amorphous three- dimensional polymers with no long range order in the position of the atoms in the polymer structure.
• the polymers may be in the form of a gel or a solid. These polymers may also be in crystalline form with a more ordered structure than the gel form.
• the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention may have residual R groups or residual NH groups present within the structure of the polymers.
• the residual R groups are derived from the intermediate compounds MR 3 and MR 4 where, during the reaction Of MR 3 and MR 4 with hydrazine, not all of the R groups Of MR 3 and MR 4 were replaced with N.
• the residual NH groups are derived from hydrazine where, during the reaction of MR 3 and MR 4 with hydrazine, not all of the H groups of hydrazine were replaced with M.
• the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention preferably have a surface area of less than 50 m 2 /g, and are preferably microporous with pores having a diameter less than 10 A.
• the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention may be preferably be used for storing hydrogen.
• a preferred system of hydrogen storage can include a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel preferably holds the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention at a temperature of up to 200 0 C, more preferably -300 0 C to 15O 0 C, more preferably -200 0 C to 100 0 C, more preferably 0 0 C to 5O 0 C, more preferably 1O 0 C to 3O 0 C, and more preferably 2O 0 C to 25 0 C.
• a temperature of up to 200 0 C more preferably -300 0 C to 15O 0 C, more preferably -200 0 C to 100 0 C, more preferably 0 0 C to 5O 0 C, more preferably 1O 0 C to 3O 0 C, and more preferably 2O 0 C to 25 0 C.
• M in order to prevent oxidation of the metal, M, there is no oxygen inside the pressure vessel.
• Hydrogen is added into the pressure vessel and stored using the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention. No heating is required when adding hydrogen
• the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention may preferably store hydrogen by the Kubas interaction.
• H 2 binds in a non-dissociative manner to a metal centre, M.
• the H 2 binds to the metal centre where the metal centre has a low coordination number, such as three or four.
• the amount of hydrogen that can be stored by the polymers of the present invention is proportional to the pressure in the pressure vessel. At higher pressures, more hydrogen can be stored by the polymers of the present invention.
• the pressure in the pressure vessel is preferably increased by adding hydrogen into the pressure vessel. As the pressure is increased, the number of Kubas interactions per metal centre increases.
• Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the polymer of the present invention, where H 2 is bound to the metal centres, Ti, of the polymer.
• Figure 2 illustrates a polymer having the repeating unit -[MN 2 ]-, wherein M is Ti.
• hydrogen is stored by the polymer where the (H-H) binds to the metal Ti centres of the polymer.
• up to two (H-H) can be bound to each metal Ti centre. However, more (H-H) can be bound per metal centre. For example, five (H-H) can be bound to a metal centre in the polymer of the present invention.
• the polymers of the present invention where M is Ti, are able to store hydrogen at a gravimetric capacity of about 6 wt% and at a volumetric capacity of about 150 kg/m 3 .
• the large amounts of hydrogen capable of being stored by the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention is due to the fact that the metal centres of the polymers have low coordination numbers, such as three or four.
• a low coordination number means the metal centre has a low number of points at which ligands are attached to the metal centre, such as three or four.
• a metal centre with a low number of points to which ligands are attached has free d-electrons.
• the free d-electrons of the metal centre interact with hydrogen.
• the metal centre has a low coordination number
• the H 2 shares one of its two electrons with the metal centre, and the metal centre back donates electrons by overlap of its d-orbital with an empty orbital of H 2 .
• a metal centre has a high coordination number, such as six, little or no hydrogen can be stored.
• the metal centres have six ligands bonded to them, and this does not leave enough free d-electrons to interact with hydrogen.
• the metal hydrazide polymers of the present invention have metal centres with a low coordination number of only three or four. Therefore, the metal centres have free d- electrons to interact with hydrogen by the Kubas interaction.
• hydrazine is preferably used to react with the intermediate compounds, MR 3 and MR 4 , to produce the polymers of the present invention having the repeating units - [MN 2 ]- and -[M 2 N 3 ]-.
• the polymers of the present invention there is a two atom linker, specifically -N-N-, between metal centres. It has been found that this polymer structure provides metal centres with low coordination numbers, and such metal centres can bind H 2 .
• the two atom linker is large enough so as to keep the metal centres apart and prevent them from clustering. At the same time, the two atom linker is small enough to minimize void space which can reduce the volumetric capacity of the polymer.
• the pressure in the pressure vessel is decreased. No heating is required to release the hydrogen from the polymers.
• a valve is opened to allow hydrogen gas to escape from the pressure vessel, thus decreasing the pressure in the pressure vessel. When the pressure is decreased, virtually 100% of the stored hydrogen is released.
• Hydrogen may be added or released from the system at any point throughout the entire pressure gradient of the system without any adverse effects to the storage capacity of the system. Hydrogen may be added or released from the system any number of times without any adverse effects to the storage capacity of the system. Preferably, the system can be filled with hydrogen and emptied of hydrogen at least 1500 times without any adverse effects to the storage capacity of the system.
• the fuel tank can be filled with hydrogen in a short time, preferably 3 minutes or less, and more preferably 2 minutes or less.
• a fuel tank filled with hydrogen preferably stores enough energy to allow the land vehicle to travel a long distance without the need to refill, preferably 200 miles or more, more preferably 300 miles or more, and even more preferably 400 miles or more.
• Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the system for storing hydrogen of the present invention.
• the preferred system 10 can be used, for example, in a land vehicle such as an automobile or truck.
• the system 10 comprises a tank body 12 which is made of a material that is impermeable to hydrogen gas, thus preventing undesired leaking of the hydrogen gas out of the tank body 12.
• the tank body 12 is made of metal, and more preferably, the tank body 12 is made of steel or aluminum.
• the tank body 12 may be made of a composite material, such as a composite of fibreglass and aramid.
• the tank body 12 may be made of a carbon fibre with a liner.
• the liner may be a polymer liner, such as a thermoplastic liner, or a metal liner, such as a steel liner or an aluminum liner.
• the polymer 14 of the present invention is present inside the tank body 12.
• the polymer 14 is in a gel form.
• the polymer 4 may partially fill or totally fill the tank body 12.
• a first passage 16 leads to a first opening 18 in the wall of the tank body 12.
• a first valve 20 controls the flow of hydrogen gas through the first opening 18.
• a second passage 22 extends from a second opening 24 in the wall of the tank body 12.
• a second valve 26 controls the flow of hydrogen gas through the second opening 24.
• the first valve 20 and the second valve 26 can be any type of valves that control the flow of hydrogen gas through the first opening 18 and the second opening 24, respectively.
• the first valve 20 and the second valve 26 can be ball valves or a gate valves.
• Hydrogen is preferably added to the system 10 as follows.
• a gas compressor 32 pumps hydrogen gas into the first passage 16.
• the first valve 20 is opened to allow the hydrogen gas to flow through the first opening 18 and into the tank body 12.
• a passage tube 28 is in gaseous communication with the first opening 18 and extends into the interior of the tank body 12.
• the passage tube 28 facilitates the distribution of the hydrogen gas to the polymer 14.
• the passage tube 28 is preferably made of a material that is permeable to the hydrogen gas. This allows the hydrogen gas to pass through the wall of the passage tube 28 and into contact with the polymer 14.
• the passage tube is also preferably made of a material that is impermeable to the polymer 14, thus preventing the polymer 14 from entering into the interior of the passage tube 28.
• the passage tube 28 preferably opens into the interior of the tank body 12.
• the opening of the passage tube 28 is preferably covered with a filter 30 which prevents the polymer 14 from entering into the interior of the passage tube 28.
• the compressor 32 pumps hydrogen gas into the tank body 12, there is an increase of the hydrogen pressure inside the tank body 12.
• the hydrogen pressure inside the tank body is increased, the polymer 14 is able to bind a greater amount of hydrogen.
• the increase in pressure causes an increase in the number of Kubas interactions per metal centre in the polymer 14.
• hydrogen is preferably released from the system 10 as follows.
• the second valve 26 is opened, which allows hydrogen gas to flow out of the tank body 12 through the second opening 24.
• hydrogen gas flows out of the tank body through the second opening 24, there is a decrease in pressure inside the tank body 12.
• the polymer 14 releases hydrogen.
• the decrease in pressure causes a decrease in the number of Kubas interactions per metal centre of the polymer 14.
• Hydrogen that is released by the polymer 14 can flow out of the tank body 12 through the second opening 24.
• the hydrogen flows through the second passage 22 to the fuel cell 36.
• the fuel cell 36 preferably uses hydrogen as a fuel and oxygen as an oxidant to produce electricity.
• the system of the present invention preferably comprises a storage tank with a single opening. Hydrogen flows both into and out of the storage tank through the single opening. A valve is used to control the flow of hydrogen through the opening.
• the system is preferably portable. As such, the system can be transported to a filling station to be filled with hydrogen. After being filled with hydrogen, the system can then be transported to a site where the hydrogen energy is to be used. Applications for this system include, but are not limited to, vehicles, airplanes, homes, buildings, and barbeques.
• Powder X-ray diffraction was performed on Siemens diffractometer D-500TM with Cu Ka radiation (40KV, 4OmA) source. The step size was 0.02° and the counting time was 0.3s for each step. Diffraction patterns were recorded in the 20 range 2.3 - 52°. Samples for XRD analysis were put in a sealed capillary glass tube to protect sample from air and moisture during experiment. [00152] The powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns for the vanadium hydrazide materials heated at 150 0 C in vacuum are shown in figure 5. All patterns were similar and exhibit a single broad diffraction peak corresponding to a d spaeing of 1.96nm.
• Table 1 C, H, N and V concentration of vanadium hydrazide materials.
• Nitrogen adsorption and desorption data were collected on a Micromeritics ASAP 2010TM. All X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) peaks were referenced to the carbon C-(C, H) peak at 284.8 eV, and the data were obtained using a Physical Electronics PHI-5500TM spectrometer using charge neutralization. Elemental analysis was perfo ⁇ ned by Galbraith Labs, Knoxville Tennessee. [00155] X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the vanadium hydrazides were conducted and the results are shown in figure 7. No charge neutralization was required and emissions are observed at the Fermi level, suggesting that these materials are metallic.
• XPS X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
• the XPS spectra of all materials in the N Is region exhibit a broad emission centered at 396 eV with a shoulder at 398.5 eV which can be simulated as 3 major peaks (figs. 13 to 17).
• the first simulated emission located at 395.6 eV likely corresponds to an NH nitrogen bound directly to V.
• the second emission located at 396.4 - 396.6 eV likely represents unbound terminal -NH 2 species, while the third emission at 398 eV can be assigned to quaternary hydrazinium species.
• the Al 50 sample has another simulated peak at 398.8 eV, possibly corresponding to bound NH 3 , which may be the product of a redox reaction between N 2 H 4 and V(MeS) 3 .
• THF or another bound hydrazine species.
• bound THF in the XPS from the oxygen region (figs. 8 to 12), as indicated by the high intensity emissions centered at 530.4 eV.
• the difficulty removing THF is not surprising due to the well-documented high oxophilicity of early transition metals.
• Hydrogen Adsorption Measurements [00156] Hydrogen adsorption isotherms were obtained by using a computer controlled commercial Gas Reaction ControllerTM manufactured by Advanced Materials Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA. High purity hydrogen (99.9995% purity) was used as the adsorbent. Hydrogen storage measurements on a standard AX-21 sample (4.5 wt. %) were performed to ensure proper calibration and functioning of the instrumentation. Leak testing was also performed during each measurement by checking for soap bubbles at potential leak points. These measurements are necessary to ensure the veracity of the isotherms. In the H 2 adsorption-desorption experiments complete reversibility was observed for all samples across the whole range of pressures.
• Table 3 Average number of hydrogen molecule adsorbed on each vanadium site at 85bar. [00163] A 20 cycle run at 298K with pressure up to 85 bar was carried out on Cl 50 sample. The results show no significant loss of excess adsorption capacity through cycling (fig. 22). By fitting the adsorption isotherms at 77K and 87K into the Clapeyron - Clausius equation, the isosteric heats of hydrogen adsorption can be calculated. The data for materials heated at 100 0 C and 150 0 C, as well as that of carbon AX-21 as a standard were measured under the same conditions (figure 23).
• This isoteric heat of adsorption of all vanadium hydrazide materials rises from roughly 3-5 kJ/mol H 2 up to 36.5 kJ/mol H 2 , contrasting strongly to the behavior of AX-21 , which has enthalpies which decrease from 6 kJ/mol H 2 down to 3.3 kJ/mol H 2 , typical of physisorption.
• the avereage value of the vanadium hydrazides falls in the range of 20 - 30 kJ/mol H 2 , believed to be the ideal heat of hydrogen adsorption of suitable room temperature hydrogen storage materials.
• the rising enthalpies with surface coverage were observed in previous publications from our group concerning hydrogen storage on supported organometallic fragments.
• EPR spectra were collected at room temperature using a Bruker EMXplus X-bandTM (-9.4 GHz) spectrometer. Samples were placed in 4 mm outer- diameter quartz tubes sealed with 'O' ring needle valves. Sample volumes were -300 ⁇ L. To produce hydrogen loaded samples, hydrogen gas (grade 6) was applied directly, at a pressure of 1 atmosphere, to the sample within the EPR tube using an air-tight purge valve to ensure an inert environment.
• EPR electron paramagnetic resonance
• FIG. 25 An example of a titanium hydrazide polymer obtained by this procedure is shown in Figure 25. [00178] The following procedure was used to prepare a titanium hydrazide sample using tetrabenzyltitanium.
• the precipitate product was placed in a vacuum glove box. A gel powder of a titanium hydrazide sample was obtained. The weight of the gel powder was 19.37 g.
• the first sample was measured by a pycnometer to have a skeletal density of 1.03 g/cm 3 .
• the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for this sample is shown in Figure 26(a).
• the second sample of titanium hydrazide was dried at 15O 0 C.
• the second sample was measured by a pycnometer to have a skeletal density of 2.44 g/cm 3 .
• the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for this sample is shown in Figure 26(b).
• the second sample of titanium hydrazide has a gravimetric adsorption of about 5 wt% at a temperature of 298 K.
• the volumetric adsorption of the second sample of titanium hydrazide was calculated to be about 150 kg/m 3 at 298 K.
• a third sample and a fourth sample of titanium hydrazide were prepared by reacting tris [bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]titanium with hydrazine in a 1 Ti: 1 hydrazine ratio using the procedure described above.
• the third sample of titanium hydrazide was dried at 25 0 C.
• the third sample was measured by a pycnometer to have a skeletal density of 2.32 g/cm 3 .
• the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for this sample is shown in Figure 27(b).
• the gravimetric adsorption of the third sample increases with an increase in pressure.
• the volumetric adsorption of the third sample of titanium hydrazide was calculated to be about 35 kg/m 3 .
• the fourth sample of titanium hydrazide was dried at 15O 0 C.
• the fourth sample was measured by a pycnometer to have a skeletal density of 1.95 g/cm 3 .
• the hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for this sample is shown in Figure 28.
• the gravimetric adsorption of the fourth sample increases with an increase in pressure.
• the volumetric adsorption of the fourth sample of titanium hydrazide was calculated to be about 24 kg/m 3 . If the isotherm for the fourth sample were extrapolated to a pressure of 200 atm, the fourth sample would have a gravimetric adsorption of 3.75 wt% and a volumetric adsorption of 75 kg/m 3 .
• a hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for the above-mentioned chromium hydrazide sample was obtained using a computer controlled commercial gas reaction controller. Gravimetric adsorption of the sample can be read from the isotherm. Volumetric adsorption can be calculated from the gravimetric adsorption and the skeletal density. The skeletal density was measured by a pycnometer. [00210] The chromium hydrazide sample was measured by a pycnometer to have a skeletal density of 1.231 g/cm . The hydrogen adsorption - desorption isotherm for this sample is shown in Figure 29.
• the sample of chromium hydrazide has a gravimetric adsorption of about 4.2 wt% at a temperature of 77 K.
• the volumetric adsorption of the sample of chromium hydrazide was calculated to be about 51.7 kg/m 3 at 77K and 65 bar, and about 8.98 kg/m 3 at 298 K and 65 bar.
• a linear relationship between the pressure and the gravimetric adsorption was observed. An increase in pressure is accompanied by an increase in gravimetric adsorption. Furthermore, complete reversibility of hydrogen adsorption was observed for the chromium hydrazide sample across the whole range of pressures.

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