Aluminum Alloys for Hydrogen Generation (10/12/2007)

The research group of Kiyohito Ishida, Professor of Tohoku University Graduate School of Engineering and Dr. Yoshikazu Takaku, Research Fellow of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), have successfully developed AI (Aluminium) alloy which generates hydrogen when in contact with poured room-temperature water.

In conventional methods, hydrogen is generated through special treatment of Al alloys, Al-Ga alloys and reduction and oxidation of ferric oxide by utilizing reactions in water vapor.

However, for reasons with existing major cost-related difficulties such as in the complicated process of generation and necessities of utilizing the high-temperature water vapor and expensive metals, the research group has sought the method for hydrogen generation from inexpensive alloys, by making full use of simulation with a computer aided phase diagram.

After their diligent studies, the researchers successfully discovered that AI alloys with adding special element are capable of generating hydrogen through the simple contact of water.

The newly developed AI alloy can be obtained through the same production process for the conventional AI alloys; however, it has great advantages over the conventional production methods of hydrogen and in much more simple and inexpensive measures.

Subsequently, by utilizing the new method, since little cost (only several yen for producing 1 gram of the new AI alloy) is required in the production of the new AI alloy; the production cost can be held at a comparatively low level, several times lower than that of existing materials.

Moreover, the new alloy has a unique feature; the proportional amount of hydrogen, which is contained in AI alloy, is extractable in proportion to the content of Al.

The new AI alloy can be produced anytime and anywhere through activation in different water conditions including tap water. For this reason, the new alloy is expected to be applicable in many capacities such as portable batteries, emergency electric producing devices, etc.

Occasionally, in elementary and the junior high schoolsf science laboratory classes, accidents occur during experimentation for hydrogen generation with acids in alkali aqueous solution on metals. The new AI alloys will offer the schools good experimental materials for safe chemical experimentation.

The research group has already applied a patent for the new AI alloy through JST and seeks collaborative research with companies which show interests in its practical application.

This study is supported by JST Core Research for Science and Research (CREST) Project and Global COE Program.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Tohoku University

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