Current options for storing hydrogen involve gaseous or liquid forms, which are often costly and hazardous. Of the available materials, magnesium-based materials have been shown to be a highly effective candidate for solid state storage technologies.

Researchers from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland have developed a new porous magnesium-based material that does not involve the costly ball milling process. The laboratory performance data has shown high hydrogen uptake capacities (e.g. 6% at 200°C in 11min) and excellent desorption behaviour under mild conditions.

Advantages include: a simple manufacturing method; high hydrogen capacity at lower temperatures, reducing operating costs; does not require catalysts.

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