Scientists in Indiana, USA, are developing a new type of hydrogen production technology that uses water to react with aluminum and yttrium alloys to produce hydrogen.
Purdue University scientists said: Hydrogen is a clean energy that does not pollute. It is widely used in everything from golf carts to submarines. When water reacts with this alloy, aluminum attracts oxygen, releases hydrogen, and decomposes the water. Researchers at Purdue University are currently developing such alloy particles so that they can be placed in a container and react with water to produce hydrogen gas as needed.
The researchers report that lanthanum is a key component of this alloy because aluminum reacts with oxygen under normal conditions and forms an oxide film on the surface, and lanthanum will prevent the formation of this oxide film. Jerry Woodall, a professor of electronics and computer engineering who invented this process, said: “Oxygen can reduce the protective effect of the oxide film on aluminum, allowing the reaction of water and aluminum to continue until all aluminum is completely hydrogen-producing.
The findings of the study will be announced during the second Energy Nano International Conference in California on September 7.