Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Alexandra N Torgersen

Scott Willis Jorgensen

Stacey E Siporin

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of storing hydrogen that comprises reacting two precursors to form a hydrogen storage composition comprising hydrogen, nitrogen, a Group 13 element, and an element selected from Group 1, Group 2 or mixtures thereof. In other aspects, the present invention provides a method of storing hydrogen by ball-milling two precursors at a temperature in a range sufficient to prevent pre-mature release of hydrogen, while the temperature is still sufficient to induce reaction between the precursors. The precursors preferably have X&#x2014;H, Y&#x2014;H and A-H bonds where X represents a Group 13 element, Y represents a Group 15 element, and A represents an element from Group 1, Group 2, or mixtures thereof. Other variations of the methods of storing hydrogen are further provided.

Methods of storing hydrogen in hydrogen storage systems

In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X&#x2014;H and Y&#x2014;H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B&#x2014;H) and Y is nitrogen (N&#x2014;H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B&#x2014;H&#x2014;Li&#x2014;N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.

Hydrogen storage systems and compositions

In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composite formed of a mesoporous scaffolding material and a hydrogen storage composition comprising precursors that react to form quarternary B&#x2014;H&#x2014;Li&#x2014;N composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for forming hydrogen storage material. In each aspect, a high portion of hydrogen is released as hydrogen gas and a lesser portion of hydrogen is released as a hydrogen-containing byproduct.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Alexandra N Torgersen