Novel Materials for Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Based on Bimetallic Borohydrides

• Applicant: Dr. Alexander Sedykh
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 565182370

Increasing the implementation of hydrogen as an energy source to propel a sustainable future is a strategic objective of Germany and the European Union. This project will focus on one crucial aspect of this strategy: hydrogen storage. Specifically, the target is developing novel materials based on complex hydrides for solid-state chemical hydrogen storage. Borohydrides are promising candidates for solid-state hydrogen storage because they are lightweight, can store a large amount of hydrogen per unit mass, and are thermodynamically stable. This project proposes the development of novel mixed metal borohydrides AExMy(BH4)z (AE = Mg, Ca; M = Y, La, Zr, Fe). Cations of the borohydrides influence the hydrogen release temperature and kinetics, and their mixing allows fine-tuning of the hydrogen storage material properties. The bimetallic borohydrides are to be obtained from individual borohydrides or as a result of hydrogenation of corresponding borides. The project will be carried out by Dr. Alexander Sedykh using the facilities of Prof. Dr. Kohlmann's group at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Crystallography (University of Leipzig). The synthetic (a glovebox, a Schlenk line, a ball mill with a possibility to work under hydrogen atmosphere, hydrogen-resistant autoclaves, solvent purification system, presses for syntheses at up to 50 kbar, high-frequency ovens for the synthesis at up to 1700 °C) and analytical equipment (X-ray diffractometers, possible access to the neutron source for diffraction studies, thermal analysis devices, also equipped to work in hydrogen atmosphere for in situ measurements) available within the hosting group is sufficient for the project.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position