Nano-Quasicrystals for Hydrogen Storage

Producing only water as a waste product, sustainable hydrogen could offer credible decarbonisation solutions for energy supply, transport, commercial and domestic sectors. A major barrier to exploitation of hydrogen in energy applications especially vehicles is the lack of a safe, efficient and cost-effective storage system. Quasicrystal (QC) have potential to be a lightweight hydrogen storage material due to their unique multi-shell cluster structure, which provide a high density of interstitial sites to accommodate hydrogen. For example, the typical storage capacity is less than 2H/M (hydrogen atom per metal) in conventional metal/alloy hydrides, in comparison to 3.2 H/M of the theoretical capacity in QC hydrides. A wide range of advanced crystal materials have been investigated for hydrogen storage; yet little is known about QC with respect to energy storage, especially nano-sized QCs. This project aims to develop high-performance nano QC materials for on-board vehicle hydrogen storage. The student will synthesize nano QC via various synthetic methods, such as chemical vapour deposition and physical vapour deposition. The characterisation via XRD, SEM, TEM will reveal the structure of nano QCs. Hydrogen storage properties including capacity, kinetics, thermodynamics and reversibility will be evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and pressure-composition-isotherm techniques. Working alongside a computational project led by Prof E. Besley, this project will also study the interaction between hydrogen atom and host QC lattice via in-situ powder neutron diffraction to understand the relationship between structure and storage performance, therefore set the design protocol for nano QCs for hydrogen storage.

The RI self-assessment of an individual's research projects will mean that the cohort have a high degree of understanding of the potential beneficial impact from their research on the economy, society and the environment. This then places the cohort as the best ambassadors for the CDT, hence most pathways to impact are through the students, facilitated by the CDT.

Industrial impact of this CDT is in working closely together with key industry players across the hydrogen sector, including through co-supervision, mentoring of doctoral students and industry involvement in CDT events. Our industrial stakeholders include those working on hydrogen production (ITM Power, Hydrogen Green Power, Pure Energy) and distribution (Northern Gas, Cadent), storage (Luxfer, Haydale, Far UK), safety (HSL, Shell, ITM Power), low carbon transport (Ulemco, Arcola Energy), heat and power (Bosch, Northern Gas).

Policy impact of the CDT research and other activities will occur through cohort interactions with local authorities (Nottingham City Council) and LEPs (LLEP, D2N2) through the CDT workshops and conference. A CDT in Parliament day will be facilitated by UKHFCA (who have experience in lobbying the government on behalf of their members) and enable the cohort to visit the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST), BEIS and to meet with local MPs. Through understanding the importance of evidence gathering by Government Departments and the role this has in informing policy, the cohort will be encouraged to take the initiative in submitting evidence to any relevant requests for evidence from POST.

Public impact will be achieved through developing knowledge-supported interest of public in renewable energy in particular the role of hydrogen systems and infrastructure. Special attention will be paid to demonstration of safety solutions to prove that hydrogen is not more or less dangerous compared to other fuels when it is dealt with professionally and systems are engineered properly. The public, who are ultimate beneficiaries of hydrogen technologies, will be engaged through different communication channels and the CDT activities to be aware of our work. We will communicate important conclusions of the CDT research at regional, national, and international events as appropriate.

Socio-economic impact. There are significant socio-economic opportunities, including employment, for hydrogen technologies as the UK moves to low carbon transport, heat and power supply. For the UK to have the opportunity to take an international lead in hydrogen sector we need future innovation leaders. The CDT supported by partners we will create conditions for and exploit the opportunities to maximise socio-economic impact.

Students will be expected in years 3 and 4 to undertake a research visit to an industry partner and/or to undertake a knowledge transfer secondment. It is expected these visits (supported by the CDT) will be a significant benefit to the student's research project through access to industry expertise, exploring the potential impact of their research and will also be a valuable networking experience.