Recently, a research of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Tsinghua has been published in the ‘Jounal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy’ (AIP). In this publication, reference is made to the fact that this group has successfully tested a method for generating hydrogen in situ and on demand, from a metal alloy.
The operation of a hydrogen cell is based on a polymeric membrane that separates the anode side from the cathode side. In the anode, hydrogen dissociates into protons and electrons with the help of a catalyst. Protons are conducted through the membrane to the cathode while electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit where energy is produced. In the cathode catalyst, oxygen molecules react with electrons and protons forming water so that the only waste generated is water vapor or liquid water.
Scientists have discovered that to produce Hydrogen, through the reaction of Aluminum with Water, if it is activated from a new alloy of Gallium, Indian, Tin and Bismuth, it can be obtained with a productivity of 92%.
Scientists have discovered a mechanism to activate hydrogen production in real time, on demand from users. At the moment it is a small-scale project, but it opens the door to produce hydrogen in a stable way in the future, with high purity, high efficiency and without degradation problems that ultimately complicate and make transportation more expensive.