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 solid-state hydrogen storage device includes a first storage for storing a reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material, a reactor disposed in the first storage to enable a hydrolysis reaction of a non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material to be performed therein, and a fuel cell stack, wherein the non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material is stored in the reactor, and wherein the non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material releases heat when the hydrolysis is performed.

A method of making a salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method comprising the steps of; combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.

A salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a halogen-free compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; or an amine; or a mixture thereof.

A composite storage tank system for gaseous hydrogen comprises a composite storage tank having composite wall enclosing a gas storage volume, the composite wall including a metal hydride element, or a metal element capable of forming a metal hydride in the presence of hydrogen, the system further comprising measuring apparatus arranged to measure an electrical characteristic of the metal hydride element or the metal element. The history of leakage of gaseous hydrogen from the tank, the current rate of leakage and the physical condition of the composite wall in the vicinity of the metal or metal hydride element may be inferred from a measurement of the electrical characteristic, without taking the tank out of service as is required in the case of known leaks tests such as a vacuum test, helium leak test or hydrogen sniffing test.

An electrolyte and a method of making an electrolyte of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method includes the steps of: combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.

A method of making neopentasilane, the method comprising: contacting perchloroneopentasilane with a reductive effective amount of an alkali metal aluminum hydride in an alkylaluminum compound of formula R.sub.xAlCl.sub.3-x, where R is alkyl having from at least 5 carbon atoms, x is an integer from 1 to 3, and the alkylaluminum compound has a boiling point of at least 250° C., at conditions sufficient to reduce the perchloroneopentasilane, to form a reaction product mixture comprising neopentasilane, and separating the neopentasilane from the product mixture to form a neopentasilane isolate.

A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

A salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a halogen-free compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; or an amine; or a mixture thereof.