2.Development of energy-related materials

Study on hydogen-retaining materials

@We are developing a new technique for retaining hydrogen atoms by taking advantage of caged carbon molecules called fullerenes in a cooperative work with the Ecoceramics Laboratory of the Ceramic Technology Department. The fullerenes, a representative of which wouldbe C60, have lots of unsaturated bonds and addition of hydrogen molecules to the bonds can be used for the retaining purpose.
@The figure shows that 18 hydogen molecules are adsorbed on C60 to form C60H3 Cdemonstrating the capability of the molecule as a hydrogen-retainer. It has also been confirmed that the hydrogenated fullerene releases hydrogen molecules by annealing.
@Although metals have been focused on as hydrogen-retaining materials, the drawbacks of the materials such as high cost and heavy weight have been pointed out. The fullerenes may surpass metal materials in these respects, and hence further studies are highly desired.