Light metal solid solution alloys for hydrogen storage

Abstract

A light metal solid solution alloy for reversible hydrogen storage can include a light metal solid solution alloy of M 1 and M 2 . M 1 and M 2 are different and independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Al, Na, Be, and Si. Furthermore, the starting materials and formation conditions are chosen such that the resulting alloy has a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state which are each solid solutions.

1 . A light metal solid solution alloy for reversible hydrogen storage, comprising the light metal solid solution alloy of at least two light metals, M 1  and M 2 , wherein M 1  and M 2  are different and independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Al, Na, Be, and Si, wherein the alloy has a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state which are each solid solutions. 
     
     
         2 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the light metal solid solution further includes at least one additional light metal M x , wherein x is from 3 to 6. 
     
     
         3 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the light metal solid solution alloy is selected from the group consisting of Li—Al, Mg—Al, Li—Mg, Li—Mg—Al, Mg—Si and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the light metal solid solution alloy is metastable. 
     
     
         5 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , further comprising a dopant selected from the group consisting of B, Al, C, Si, N, Ti, Ni, Zn, Pt, Sc, Fe, Co, Pd, K, Ca and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a reversible hydrogen weight storage capacity greater than about 5 wt %. 
     
     
         7 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a dehydrogenation temperature less than about 400° C. 
     
     
         8 . The light metal solid solution alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has an equilibrium hydrogenation pressure from about 1 bar to about 200 bar. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a light metal solid solution alloy for reversible hydrogen storage, comprising:
 a) forming a light metal solid solution alloy of light metals M 1  and M 2 , wherein M 1  and M 2  are different and independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Mg, Al, Na, Be, and Si, wherein the alloy has a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state which are each solid solutions.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of M 1  and M 2  are each provided as elemental metals. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of M 1  and M 2  are each provided as metal hydrides. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming is accomplished via mechanical alloying. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical alloying is accomplished using a high energy high pressure planetary milling machine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming is accomplished via rapid solidification. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rapid solidification is centrifugal atomization. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming further comprising including a doping element with the light metals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the alloy has a grain size from about 5 nm to about 15 nm.