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					</table><p>Scientists and researchers at the <a href="https://www.hku.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Hong Kong</a> and <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northwestern University</a> have developed a supramolecular material that can compress hydrogen for storage without increasing its weight.</p>
<p>The study, &#8216;Balancing volumetric and gravimetric capacity for hydrogen in supramolecular crystals,&#8217; was <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-024-01622-w.epdf?sharing_token=E4-B_4g74i1kZ6zx9x_qT9RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MMHY_8uAdAZAp2Q6esRPRixjlCGWgOYTA64Xj0i0I46l4PVmlJgtDQhjUmqlgB_zd3muul-1tEhhIkQ6j5Pxu8U85YivqkUgd2oKbSxCefJ1_vQHEBnZfXlAyHhU78se99meOlSmvAZmQWBFosDywO6o4EvPh2f-qvNBn6ATr1Qw%3D%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=cen.acs.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> in Nature Chemistry.</p>
<p>The study reports a &#8220;controlled catenation strategy&#8221; used in hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (RP-H100 and RP-H101). This approach relies on multiple hydrogen bonds to direct the catenation process precisely through point-contact interactions. As a result, these frameworks achieve high surface areas in terms of volume and weight, exhibit strong durability, and have optimal pore sizes (around 1.2–1.9 nm) that are well-suited for hydrogen storage.</p>
<p>Hydrogen has been widely regarded as the future fuel because of its zero-emission and high gravimetric energy density compared with gasoline. However, its low volumetric density requires 700-bar compressed tanks for its current storage and transportation, leading to a situation that is not only costly but also has safety concerns.</p>
<p>Research across the world has been conducted to address the issue. &#8220;The United States Department of Energy (US DOE) has established the following metrics to develop hydrogen-storage systems: a gravimetric storage capacity of 6.5 wt% and a volumetric storage capacity of 50 g,&#8221; the report read.</p>
<p>The material consists of organic molecules arranged in a honeycomb-shaped crystal structure with pores optimized for hydrogen molecules—the molecules bond with the crystals, enabling efficient storage.</p>
<p>Testing of the material shows that it can store 53.7g of hydrogen per liter of material, which makes up 9.3% of the system&#8217;s overall weight.</p>
<p>The report explains that a hydrogen-bond-directed catenation strategy was developed to create highly porous supramolecular crystals. This approach forms a seven-fold catenated superstructure through point-contact interactions driven by hydrogen bonds. This design gives the crystals high volumetric and gravimetric surface areas, increased structural strength, and customized pore sizes (around 1.2–1.9 nm), making them ideal for hydrogen storage.</p>
<p>The research report indicated the potential of supramolecular crystals as promising candidates for onboard hydrogen storage.</p>
<p>In May, researchers at <a href="https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tohoku University</a> in Japan <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/researchers-from-japan-develop-for-hydrogen-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">developed</a> a data-driven model that can predict barriers related to dehydrogenation. This reaction involves the release of hydrogen in magnesium hydride, a promising material for solid-state hydrogen storage.</p>
<p>Solid-state hydrogen binds the gas to a metal hydride using moderate heat and pressure. The material can then be safely stored at an average temperature and pressure without any hydrogen escaping.</p>
<p>In June 2024, <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanford University</a> <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/stanford-scientists-liquid-battery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">researchers</a> made significant advancements in a new technology that employs liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) as a &#8220;liquid battery&#8221; for storing renewable energy from sources like wind and solar. Led by chemistry professor Robert Waymouth, the team developed a catalytic system capable of efficiently transforming electricity into the liquid fuel isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) without producing gaseous hydrogen as a byproduct.</p>


Scientists Develop Supramolecular Material for Storing Hydrogen


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					</table><p>A team of researchers led by Professor Dennis Leung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the<a href="https://www.hku.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> University of Hong Kong (HKU) </a>have recently discovered a new possibility beyond lithium-ion-based batteries — a rechargeable aqueous battery with a magnesium metal anode.</p>
<p>While lithium-ion batteries are one of the most popular, they suffer from setbacks. These batteries are toxic and expensive, in addition to the global supply shortage of metals.</p>
<p>The recent innovation will most likely open an all-new direction for developing post-lithium-ion batteries.</p>
<p>“With a high theoretical capacity and negative electrochemical potential, magnesium is an attractive anode material,” said Professor Leung. “Magnesium is also non-toxic and earth-abundant,” he added.</p>
<p>Magnesium is typically considered hard to use in batteries due to its high reactivity. It is passivated when exposed to moisture, forming an impermeable oxidation film that blocks redox reactions.</p>
<p>While most researchers study magnesium batteries with non-aqueous organic electrolytes, they are often expensive, unstable, and poorly conductive.</p>
<p><strong> The </strong><strong>Magnesium Alternative </strong></p>
<p>The team’s findings bring attention to the overlooked rechargeable aqueous magnesium metal batteries. One of the key advantages of opting for magnesium is that it makes up over 2% of the earth’s crust and is more abundant than lithium by 1000 times.</p>
<p>Despite the challenge posed by magnesium’s sensitivity to moisture, Professor Leung maintains that aqueous electrolytes offer a safe and low-cost solution.</p>
<p>Contrary to traditional belief, rechargeability can be achieved in an aqueous magnesium battery system. The passivation film of magnesium can be regulated using an aqueous chloride-based “water-in-salt” electrolyte.</p>
<p>The team further found that the adsorption of chloride ions can protect the magnesium surface by partially dissolving oxides and exposing native metal for redox reactions. With limited free water, the chloride-based water-in-salt electrolyte successfully combats magnesium passivation.</p>
<p>“Using the novel water-in-salt electrolyte, the original passivation film can be converted into a conductive metallic oxide layer, providing ionic pathways for rechargeable battery operations,” said Ph.D. student Kee Wah Leong.</p>
<p>The resulting battery demonstrates rechargeability for over 700 stable cycles with a high discharge plateau of 2.4-2.0V. It exceeds the cell voltage of other multivalent-ion batteries, including zinc metal and aluminum metal batteries.</p>
<p>Though the voltage is not yet comparable to commercial lithium-ion batteries, its performance is said to have immense potential.</p>
<p>“The battery serves as a proof-of-concept and demonstrates for the first time the long-term cyclability of an aqueous Mg metal battery,” said Professor Leung.</p>
<p>Lithium rates have surged over seven times since May last year, creating challenges for the global electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. In a recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ev-battery-supply-chains-stressed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the cobalt and nickel prices more than doubled from March 2021 to May 2022, stressing the supply chain as battery demand increased.</p>
<p>With the rising prices, the industry is already looking for cost-effective and readily available alternatives.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin <a href="https://mercomindia.com/researchers-develop-pouch-cell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">developed</a> a pouch cell format with different electrolytes that can help increase the life of the lithium-sulfur battery.</p>


Researchers in Hong Kong Achieve Breakthrough in Post Lithium-Ion Battery Tech

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