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Carbon sorbent materials have shown great promise for solid-state hydrogen (H2) storage. Modification of these materials with nitrogen (N) dopants has been undertaken to develop materials that can store H2 at ambient temperatures. In this work density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to systematically probe the influence of curvature on the stability and activity of undoped and N-doped carbon materials toward H binding. Specifically, four models of carbon materials are used: graphene, [5,5] carbon nanotube, [5,5] D5d-C120, and C60, to extract and correlate the thermodynamic properties of active sites with varying degrees of sp2 hybridization (curvature). From the calculations and analysis, it is found that graphitic N-doping is thermodynamically favored on more pyramidal sites with increased curvature. In contrast, it is found that the hydrogen binding energy is weakly affected by curvature and is dominated by electronic effects induced by N-doping. These findings highlight the importance of modulating the heteroatom doping configuration and the lattice topology when developing materials for H2 storage.
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NMR spectroscopy was used to measure the rates of the first and second substitution reactions between iodoalkane (R = Me, 1-butyl) and DABCO in methanol, acetonitrile and DMSO. Most of the reactions were recorded at three different temperatures, which permitted calculation of the activation parameters from Eyring and Arrhenius plots. Additionally, the reaction rate and heat of reaction for 1-iodobutane + DABCO in acetonitrile and DMSO were also measured using calorimetry. To help interpret experimental results, ab initio calculations were performed on the reactant, product, and transition state entities to understand structures, reaction enthalpies and activation parameters. Markov chain Monte Carlo statistical sampling was used to determine a distribution of kinetic rates with respect to the uncertainties in measured concentrations and correlations between parameters imposed by a kinetics model. The reactions with 1-iodobutane are found to be slower in all cases compared to reactions under similar conditions for iodomethane. This is due to steric crowding around the reaction centre for the larger butyl group compared to methyl which results in a larger activation energy for the reaction.
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The thermodynamic properties of key compounds Mg(B3H8)2, MgB2H6, MgB10H10, Mg(B11H14)2, Mg3(B3H6)2, and MgB12H12, proposed to be formed in the release of hydrogen from magnesium borohydride Mg(BH4)2 and the uptake of hydrogen by MgB2, have been investigated using solid-state density functional theory (DFT) calculations. More accurate tretment of the cell-size effects with respect to the entropies was also investigated in order to improve the accuracy of the thermodynamic properties of complex borohydrides. We find that the zero-point energy corrections can lower the electronic energies of reaction by 20-30 kJ/(mol H2) for these intermediates, while adding the thermal and entropy contibutions results in a total decrease of up to â¼50 kJ/(mol H2). Although our treatment lowers the calculated formation energy of Mg(B3H8)2, it is still too high to explain the experimental observation of B3H8-. We discuss possible reasons for this disparity and propose that the formation of B3H8- and H- in a disordered amorphous phase has a large energy difference compared to the phase-separated Mg(B3H8)2 and MgH2 considered in calculations. A comparison of the experimental and NMR chemical shifts calculated within a DFT approach for known species Mg(BH4)2, Mg(B3H8)2, Mg(B11H14)2, MgB10H10, and MgB12H12 provides validation for predicting the chemical shifts of the other compounds which are yet to be confirmed experimentally. These include MgB2H6 and the proposed trianion species Mg3(B3H6)2 that both have favorable thermodynamics for reversible hydrogen storage in Mg(BH4)2 without the formation of MgH2 as a coproduct which could phase separate and inhibit rehydrogenation.
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We report the heterolysis of molecular hydrogen under ambient conditions by the crystalline frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) 1-{2-[bis(pentafluorophenyl)boryl]phenyl}-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (KCAT). The gas-solid reaction provides an approach to prepare the solvent-free, polycrystalline ion pair KCATH2 through a single crystal to single crystal transformation. The crystal lattice of KCATH2 increases in size relative to the parent KCAT by approximately 2%. Microscopy was used to follow the transformation of the highly colored red/orange KCAT to the colorless KCATH2 over a period of 2 h at 300 K under a flow of H2 gas. There is no evidence of crystal decrepitation during hydrogen uptake. Inelastic neutron scattering employed over a temperature range from 4-200 K did not provide evidence for the formation of polarized H2 in a precursor complex within the crystal at low temperatures and high pressures. However, at 300 K, the INS spectrum of KCAT transformed to the INS spectrum of KCATH2. Calculations suggest that the driving force is more favorable in the solid state compared to the solution or gas phase, but the addition of H2 into the KCAT crystal is unfavorable. Ab Initio methods were used to calculate the INS spectra of KCAT, KCATH2, and a possible precursor complex of H2 in the pocket between the B and N of crystalline KCAT. Ex-situ NMR showed that the transformation from KCAT to KCATH2 is quantitative and our results suggest that the hydrogen heterolysis process occurs via H2 diffusion into the FLP crystal with a rate-limiting movement of H2 from inactive positions to reactive sites.
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Boron compounds have a rich history in energy storage applications, ranging from high energy fuels for advanced aircraft to hydrogen storage materials for fuel cell applications. In this review we cover some of the aspects of energy storage materials comprised of electron-poor boron materials combined with electron-rich nitrogen elements with the goal of moderate temperature release of hydrogen. The parent compounds of ammonium borohydride, ammonia borane, and diammoniate of diborane provide approaches for storing high gravimetric and volumetric densities of hydrogen. Here we provide a review with a historical perspective and current developments in the area of solid state B and N containing compounds. This review highlights developments in synthesis of ammonia borane and its derivatives over the last 80 years. Thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen release in the solid state are discussed. By changing either substituents on the boron and nitrogen atoms or the physical environment by embedding in mesoporous scaffolds, the thermodynamics can be modified to reduce the exothermicity of hydrogen release and minimize formation of volatile impurities. Several mechanistic studies are reviewed identifying the key distinctions between homopolar and heteropolar H2 release. Strategies for economical and efficient regeneration of the hydrogen storage materials via chemical transformation are critically reviewed. The limited efficiency of these chemical regeneration has limited some of the potential applications.
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Molecular inks based on dimethyl sulfoxide, thiourea (TU), and metal salts have been used to form high optoelectronic quality semiconductors and have led to high power conversion efficiencies for solution-processed photovoltaic devices for Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTS), Cu2Zn(Ge,Sn)(S,Se)4 (CZGTS), CuIn(S,Se)2 (CIS), and Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS). However, several metal species of interest, including Ag(I), In(III), Ge(II), and Ge(IV), either have low solubility (requiring dilute inks) or lead to precipitation or gelation. Here, we demonstrate that the combination of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and TU has the remarkable ability to form intermediate-stability acid-base complexes with a wide number of metal chloride Lewis acids (CuCl, AgCl, ZnCl2, InCl3, GaCl3, SnCl4, GeCl4, and SeCl4), to give high-concentration stable molecular inks. Using calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, and solubility experiments, we reveal the important role of chloride transfer and TU to stabilize metal cations in DMF. Methylation of TU is used to vary the strength of the Lewis basicity and demonstrate that the strength of the TU-metal chloride complex formed after DMF evaporation is critical to prevent volatilization of metal containing species. Further, we formulated a sulfur-free molecular ink which was used to deposit crystalline CuInSe2 without selenization that sustains high quasi-Fermi level splitting under constant illumination. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of the DMF-TU molecular ink chemistry to lead to high-photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies and high-open-circuit voltages for solution-processed CIS and CZGTS with power conversion efficiencies of 13.4% and 11.0% and Voc/ Voc,SQ of 67% and 63%, respectively.
RESUMEN
Metal borohydrides are considered promising materials for hydrogen storage applications due to their high volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen density. Recently, different Lewis bases have been complexed with Mg(BH4)2 in efforts to improve hydrogenation/dehydrogenation properties. Notably, Mg(BH4)2·xTHF adducts involving tetrahydrofuran (THF; C4H8O) have proven to be especially interesting. This work focuses on exploring the physicochemical properties of the THF-rich Mg(BH4)2·3THF adduct using neutron-scattering methods and molecular DFT calculations. Structural analysis, based on neutron diffraction measurements of Mg(11BH4)2·3TDF (D - deuterium), has confirmed a lowering of the symmetry upon cooling, from monoclinic C2/c to P1[combining macron] via a triclinic distortion. Vibrational properties are strongly influenced by the THF environment, showing a splitting in spectral features as a result of changes in the bond lengths, force constants, and lowering of the overall symmetry. Interestingly, the orientational mobilities of the BH4- anions obtained from quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) are not particularly sensitive to the presence of THF and compare well with the mobilities of BH4- anions in unsolvated Mg(BH4)2. The QENS data point to uniaxial 180° jump reorientations of the BH4- anions around a preferred C2 anion symmetry axis. The THF rings are also found to be orientationally mobile, undergoing 180° reorientational jumps around their C2 molecular symmetry axis with jump frequencies about an order of magnitude lower than those for the BH4- anions. In contrast, no dynamical behavior of the THF rings is observed with QENS for a more THF-deficient 2Mg(BH4)2·THF adduct. This lack of comparable THF mobility may reflect a stronger Mg2+-THF bonding interaction for lower THF/Mg(BH4)2 stoichiometric ratios, which is consistent with DFT calculations showing a decrease in the binding energy with each additional THF ring in the adduct. Based on the combined experimental and computational results, we propose that combining THF and Mg(BH4)2 is beneficial to (i) preventing weakly bound THF from coming free from the Mg2+ cation and reducing the concentration of any unwanted impurity in the hydrogen and (ii) disrupting the stability of the crystalline phase, leading to a lower melting point and enhanced kinetics for any potential hydrogen storage applications.
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Hydrogen uptake and release in arene-cycloalkane pairs provide an attractive opportunity for on-board and off-board hydrogen storage. However, the efficiency of arene-cycloalkane pairs currently is limited by unfavorable thermodynamics for hydrogen release. It is shown here that the thermodynamics can be optimized by replacement of H in the -OH group of cyclohexanol and phenol with alkali or alkaline earth metals. The enthalpy change upon dehydrogenation decreases substantially, which correlates with the delocalization of the oxygen electron to the benzene ring in phenoxides. Theoretical calculations reveal that replacement of H with a metal leads to a reduction of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and elongation of the C-H bond in the α site in cyclohexanolate, which indicates that the cyclohexanol is activated upon metal substitution. The experimental results demonstrate that sodium phenoxide-cyclohexanolate, an air- and water-stable pair, can desorb hydrogen at ca. 413â K and 373â K in the solid form and in an aqueous solution, respectively. Hydrogenation, on the other hand, is accomplished at temperatures as low as 303â K.
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The mechanism of H2 heterolysis by the frustrated Lewis pair of B(C6F5)3 and P(mes)3 was investigated by isothermal reaction calorimetry in the temperature range from 30 to 90 °C. The experimental heat curves were modeled in Berkeley Madonna to obtain both kinetic and thermodynamics data simultaneously. The H2 activation reaction is treated as a single, termolecular step with a rate constant of 0.61 M-2 s-1 at 303 K with an exothermic enthalpy of reaction, ΔHH2 = -141 kJ/mol. An Eyring analysis gave activation parameters of ΔH = 13.6(9) kJ mol-1 and ΔS = -204(85) J K-1 mol-1. Using D2 gas in place of H2 gas provided an opportunity to measure the relative rates of D2 versus H2 heterolysis to yield a the kinetic isotope effect, KIE = 1.1(1).
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A critical component for the successful development of fuel cell applications is hydrogen storage. For back-up power applications, where long storage periods under extreme temperatures are expected, the thermal stability of the storage material is particularly important. Here, we describe the development of an unusually kinetically stable chemical hydrogen storage material with a H2 storage capacity of 4.7 wt%. The compound, which is the first reported parental BN isostere of cyclohexane featuring two BN units, is thermally stable up to 150 °C both in solution and as a neat material. Yet, it can be activated to rapidly desorb H2 at room temperature in the presence of a catalyst without releasing other detectable volatile contaminants. We also disclose the isolation and characterization of two cage compounds with S4 symmetry from the H2 desorption reactions.
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We report that 2,6-lutidineâ trichloroborane (Lutâ BCl3 ) reacts with H2 in toluene, bromobenzene, dichloromethane, and Lut solvents producing the neutral hydride, Lutâ BHCl2 . The mechanism was modeled with density functional theory, and energies of stationary states were calculated at the G3(MP2)B3 level of theory. Lutâ BCl3 was calculated to react with H2 and form the ion pair, [LutH(+) ][HBCl3 (-) ], with a barrier of ΔH(≠) =24.7â kcal mol(-1) (ΔG(≠) =29.8â kcal mol(-1) ). Metathesis with a second molecule of Lutâ BCl3 produced Lutâ BHCl2 and [LutH(+) ][BCl4 (-) ]. The overall reaction is exothermic by 6.0â kcal mol(-1) (Δr G°=-1.1). Alternate pathways were explored involving the borenium cation (LutBCl2 (+) ) and the four-membered boracycle [(CH2 {NC5 H3 Me})BCl2 ]. Barriers for addition of H2 across the Lut/LutBCl2 (+) pair and the boracycle BC bond are substantially higher (ΔG(≠) =42.1 and 49.4â kcal mol(-1) , respectively), such that these pathways are excluded. The barrier for addition of H2 to the boracycle BN bond is comparable (ΔH(≠) =28.5 and ΔG(≠) =32â kcal mol(-1) ). Conversion of the intermediate 2-(BHCl2 CH2 )-6-Me(C5 H3 NH) to Lutâ BHCl2 may occur by intermolecular steps involving proton/hydride transfers to Lut/BCl3 . Intramolecular protodeboronation, which could form Lutâ BHCl2 directly, is prohibited by a high barrier (ΔH(≠) =52, ΔG(≠) =51â kcal mol(-1) ).
RESUMEN
Mg(B3H8)2·2THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) was prepared by the addition of BH3·THF to Mg/Hg amalgam. Heating a 1:2 molar mixture of Mg(B3H8)2·2THF and MgH2 to 200 °C under 5 MPa H2 for 2 h leads to nearly quantitative conversion to Mg(BH4)2. The differential scanning calorimetry profile of the reaction measured under 5 MPa H2 shows an initial endothermic feature at â¼65 °C for a phase change of the compound followed by a broad exothermic feature that reaches a maximum at 130 °C corresponding to the hydrogenation of Mg(B3H8)2 to Mg(BH4)2. Heating Mg(B3H8)2·2THF to 200 °C under 5 MPa H2 pressure in the absence of MgH2 gives predominantly MgB12H12 as well as significant amounts of MgB10H10 and Mg(BH4)2. Hydrogenation of a mixture of Mg(B3H8)2·2THF and LiH in a 1:4 molar ratio at 130 °C under 5 MPa H2 yields [B12H12](2-) in addition to [BH4](-), while a 1:4 molar ratio of Mg(B3H8)2·2THF and NaH yields [BH4](-) and a new borane, likely [B2H7](-). Hydrogenation of the NaH-containing mixture at 130 °C gives primarily the alternative borane, indicating it is an intermediate in the two-step conversion of the triborane to [BH4](-). The solvent-free triborane Mg(B3H8)2, derived from the low-temperature dehydrogenation of Mg(BH4)2, also produces Mg(BH4)2, but higher temperature and pressure is required to effect the complete transformation of the Mg(B3H8)2. These results show that the reversible transformation of the triborane depends on the stability of the metal hydride. The more stable the metal hydride, that is, LiH > NaH > MgH2, the lower is the "regeneration" efficiency.
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Electrification to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions is essential to mitigate climate change. However, a substantial portion of our manufacturing and transportation infrastructure will be difficult to electrify and/or will continue to use carbon as a key component, including areas in aviation, heavy-duty and marine transportation, and the chemical industry. In this Roadmap, we explore how multidisciplinary approaches will enable us to close the carbon cycle and create a circular economy by defossilizing these difficult-to-electrify areas and those that will continue to need carbon. We discuss two approaches for this: developing carbon alternatives and improving our ability to reuse carbon, enabled by separations. Furthermore, we posit that co-design and use-driven fundamental science are essential to reach aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets.
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Ultrafine Pt nanoparticles were successfully immobilized inside the pores of a metal-organic framework, MIL-101, without aggregation of Pt nanoparticles on the external surfaces of framework by using a "double solvents" method. TEM and electron tomographic measurements clearly demonstrated the uniform three-dimensional distribution of the ultrafine Pt NPs throughout the interior cavities of MIL-101. The resulting Pt@MIL-101 composites represent the first highly active MOF-immobilized metal nanocatalysts for catalytic reactions in all three phases: liquid-phase ammonia borane hydrolysis, solid-phase ammonia borane thermal dehydrogenation, and gas-phase CO oxidation.
RESUMEN
We performed a computational study of H(2) activation and heterolytic dissociation promoted by prototype Lewis acid/base pairs NH(3)/BX(3) (X = H, F, and Cl) to understand the mechanism in frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Although the NH(3)/BX(3) pairs form strong dative bonds, electronic structure theories make it possible to explore the potential energy surface away from the dative complex, in regions relevant to H(2) activation in FLPs. A weakly bound precursor complex, H(3)N·H(2)·BX(3), was found in which the H(2) molecule interacts side-on with B and end-on with N. The BX(3) group is pyramidal in the case of X = H, similar to the geometry of BH(5), but planar in the complexes with X = F and Cl. The latter complexes convert to ion pairs, [NH(4)(+)][BHX(3)(-)] with enthalpy changes of 7.3 and -9.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The minimum energy paths between the FLP and the product ion pair of the chloro and fluoro complexes were calculated and analyzed in great detail. At the transition state (TS), the H(2) bond is weakened and the BX(3) moiety has undergone significant pyramidal distortion. As such, the FLP is prepared to accept the incipient proton and hydride ion on the product-side. The interaction energy of the H(2) with the acid/base pair and the different contributions for the precursor and TS complex from an energy decomposition analysis expose the dominant factors affecting the reactivity. We find that structural reorganization of the precursor complex plays a significant role in the activation and that charge-transfer interactions are the dominant stabilizing force in the activated complex. The electric field clearly has a role in polarizing H(2), but its contribution to the overall interaction energy is small compared to that from the overlap of the p(N), σ(H-H), σ*(H-H), and p(B) orbitals at the TS. Our detailed analysis of the interaction of H(2) with the FLP provides insight into the important components that should be taken into account when designing related systems to activate H(2).
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Complex borohydrides such as Mg(BH4)2 offer one of highest capacities to chemically store hydrogen for onboard applications; however, it suffers greatly from kinetic constraints that prevent realization of full capacity and reversibility. Understanding these kinetic limitations solely from experiments is extremely challenging due to the unusual complexity of various competing elemental reaction steps involved during the de/rehydrogenation reaction. This work aims to map out the energetics associated with initial dehydrogenation of Mg(BH4)2 from first-principles simulations and to identify the preferred reaction pathways. Our calculations suggest the rate-limiting step during BH4--B3H8- conversion is the formation of the B2H7- intermediate. We further emphasize and clarify that the B3H8- and H- intermediates, formed during initial Mg(BH4)2 decomposition, appear as molecular species that are embedded in the Mg-BH4-Mg matrix as evidenced in the nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and not as bulk MgH2 and Mg(B3H8)2 as previously assumed in theoretical predictions of the thermodynamics.
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Coordination complexes of Mg(BH4)2 are of interest for energy storage, ranging from hydrogen storage in BH4 to electrochemical storage in Mg based batteries. Understanding the stability of these complexes is crucial since storage materials are expected to undergo multiple charging and discharging cycles. To do so, we examined the thermal stabilities of the 1 : 1 mixtures of Mg(BH4)2 with different glymes by DSC-TGA, TPD-MS and powder XRD analysis. Despite their structural similarities, these mixtures show diverse phase transitions, speciations and decomposition pathways as a function of linker length.
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Hydrogen has the highest gravimetric energy density of any energy carrier and produces water as the only oxidation product, making it extremely attractive for both transportation and stationary power applications. However, its low volumetric energy density causes considerable difficulties, inspiring intense efforts to develop chemical-based storage using metal hydrides, liquid organic hydrogen carriers and sorbents. The controlled uptake and release of hydrogen by these materials can be described as a series of challenges: optimal properties fall within a narrow range, can only be found in few materials and often involve important trade-offs. In addition, a greater understanding of the complex kinetics, mass transport and microstructural phenomena associated with hydrogen uptake and release is needed. The goal of this Perspective is to delineate potential use cases, define key challenges and show that solutions will involve a nexus of several subdisciplines of chemistry, including catalysis, data science, nanoscience, interfacial phenomena and dynamic or phase-change materials.
RESUMEN
The reaction order and Arrhenius activation parameters for spontaneous hydrogen release from cyclic amine boranes, i.e., BN-cycloalkanes, were determined for 1,2-BN-cyclohexane (1) and 3-methyl-1,2-BN-cyclopentane (2) in tetraglyme. Computational analysis identified a mechanism involving catalytic substrate activation by a ring-opened form of 1 or 2 as being consistent with experimental observations.