Studies on a New Material for Hydrogen Storage and Supply by Modified Fe and Fe₂O₃ Powder

Modified iron oxide, a new material for hydrogen storage and supply to polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), was prepared by impregnating Fe or Fe₂O₃ powder with an aqueous solution containing metal cation additives (Al, Cr, Ni, Co, Zr and Mo). Hydrogen storage properties of the samples were investigated. The results show that both Fe and Fe₂O₃ powder with additive Mo presented excellent catalytic activity and cyclic stability, and their hydrogen producing temperature could be surprisingly decreased. The temperature of forming hydrogen for the Fe₂O₃-Mo at the rate of 250 µmol·min⁻¹·Fe-g⁻¹ could be dramatically decreased from 527 °C before addition of Mo to 283 °C after addition of Mo in the fourth cycle. The cause for it was probably related to preventing the sinter of the sample particles. In addition, hydrogen storage capacity of the Fe₂O₃-Mo can reach w=4.5% (72 kg H₂/m³), close to International Energy Agency (IEA) criterion. These show the value of practical application of the Fe₂O₃-Mo as the promising hydrogen storage material.