High Capacity Hydrogen Storage for Lunar Power Systems

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

When ammonia borane is nanoconfined in aerogels, the hydrogen release rate is increased, and the decomposition temperature and amount of undesirable byproducts is decreased. Other studies have shown that through the addition of a catalyst to the bulk material, the hydrogen release rate can be further increased. We propose to further improve the hydrogen release kinetics by incorporating ammonia borane into aerogel structures that also contains a catalyst. NASA's inorganic aerogel team has developed aluminosilicate aerogels, which contain aluminum, a catalyst for ammonia borane decomposition. The team has also developed yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) aerogels that contain yttria, another catalyst for ammonia borane decomposition. Both chemistries would provide a viable starting point. At the end of FY21, we will have incorporated ammonia borane into an inorganic aerogel that also contains a catalyst to increase the rate of hydrogen release, lower the decomposition temperature and mitigate the formation of undesirable byproducts. If this project is successful, there are several areas that could be interested in this technology. Regenerative Fuel Cell projects (GRC), Outer Solar System Exploration Projects (JPL), and the Naval Underwater Warfare Center, which is also researching solid state hydrogen storage, would all be interested if this storage system has a high enough gravimetric capacity.

Benefits

For future Lunar and Mars exploration missions, hydrogen will play an important role as a fuel source. Hydrogen has the highest energy per mass of any fuel, however, at ambient conditions, the density is very low, resulting in a low energy per unit volume. The DOE has set target metrics for hydrogen storage that current compressed gas and cryogenic liquid storage systems don't meet. One alternative is solid state hydrogen storage. Ammonia borane is of particular interest due to its high gravimetric capacity ( 19.6 wt % H2), low molecular weight (30.6 g/mol), low decomposition temperature (114 oC), and stability and safe handling. However, the rate of decomposition is slow and forms undesirable byproducts. Studies show that the hydrogen release kinetics are improved in nanophase ammonia borane. Aerogels have been shown to be an effective, ultra-lightweight, porous scaffold for containing nanoparticles of ammonia borane. This activity will investigate new aerogel chemistries that also include a catalyst to further improve hydrogen release kinetics from ammonia borane.

Details

Technology area	Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Materials > Materials for Electrical Power Generation, Energy Storage, Power Distribution, and Electrical Machines
Program	Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF (GRC CIF)
Lead organization	Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Jessica L Cashman — jessica.l.cashman@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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