The present invention relates to improved hydrogen storage materials and improved processes for their preparation. The hydrogen storage materials prepared by the processes described herein exhibit enhanced hydrogen storage capacity when used as hydrogen storage systems. The processes described herein may be undertaken on a commercial scale.

The present invention relates to improved hydrogen storage materials and improved processes for their preparation. The hydrogen storage materials prepared by the processes described herein exhibit enhanced hydrogen storage capacity when used as hydrogen storage systems. The processes described herein may be undertaken on a commercial scale.

An article formed of a metal alloy is covered at least partially with a metal hydride and a shell metal to form an assembly. Load is applied to the assembly and the assembly is heated. The shell metal deforms around the article and the metal hydride and forms a gas proof seal. The metal hydride thermally decomposes to form hydrogen gas. At least a portion of the hydrogen gas dissociates and moves as monoatomic hydrogen into the article. The metal alloy can be a zirconium metal alloy, the metal hydride can be a zirconium metal hydride, and the shell metal can be substantially copper.

The present disclosure relates to improved processes for the preparation of metal hydrides. The present disclosure also relates to metal hydrides, e.g., metal hydrides prepared by the processes described herein, that exhibit enhanced hydrogen storage capacity when used as hydrogen storage systems.

The present disclosure relates to improved processes for the preparation of metal hydrides. The present disclosure also relates to metal hydrides, e.g., metal hydrides prepared by the processes described herein, that exhibit enhanced hydrogen storage capacity when used as hydrogen storage systems.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes: (a) preparing a liquid cell containing a palladium precursor solution; (b) applying electron beams to the palladium precursor solution contained in the liquid cell; and (c) generating palladium hydride nanoparticles having the hcp crystal structure in the palladium precursor solution.

Processes for producing a metal superhydride include obtaining a metal or metal alloy electrode comprising one or more metal atoms, obtaining an electrolyte comprising hydrogen atoms, the electrolyte configured to kinetically suppress a hydrogen evolution reaction in the metal electrode, disposing the metal electrode in the electrolyte, applying pressure to the metal electrode and the electrolyte while the metal electrode is disposed in the electrolyte, and forming, based on applying the pressure, a metal superhydride comprising a plurality of hydrogen atoms of the electrolyte being bonded to each of the one or more metal atoms of the metal electrode. Generally, the metal superhydride is stable at a pressure less than 100 gigapascal (GPa).

Processes for producing a metal superhydride include obtaining a metal or metal alloy electrode comprising one or more metal atoms, obtaining an electrolyte comprising hydrogen atoms, the electrolyte configured to kinetically suppress a hydrogen evolution reaction in the metal electrode, disposing the metal electrode in the electrolyte, applying pressure to the metal electrode and the electrolyte while the metal electrode is disposed in the electrolyte, and forming, based on applying the pressure, a metal superhydride comprising a plurality of hydrogen atoms of the electrolyte being bonded to each of the one or more metal atoms of the metal electrode. Generally, the metal superhydride is stable at a pressure less than 100 gigapascal (GPa).

Various embodiments disclosed related to hydrogen-generating compositions for a fuel cell. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a hydrogen-generating composition comprising a hydride and a Lewis acid. Various embodiments provide methods of using a hydrogen fuel cell including generating hydrogen gas using the composition, fuel cell systems including the composition, and methods of making the composition.

A palladium hydride nanomaterial includes nanostructures having a chemical composition represented by the formula: M.sub.y—Pd.sub.xH.sub.z, where M is at least one metal different from palladium; x has a non-zero value in the range of 0 to 5; y has a value in the range of 0 to 5; and z has a non-zero value in the range of 0 to 5.