Ammonia-borane and related compounds as dihydrogen sources.

Ammonia–borane, H3NBH3, is an intriguing molecule for chemical hydrogen storage applications. With both protic N–H and hydridic B–H bonds, three H atoms per main group element, and a low molecular weight, H3NBH3 has the potential to meet the stringent gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen storage capacity targets needed for transportation applications. Furthermore, devising an energy-efficient chemical process to regenerate H3NBH3 from dehydrogenated BNHx material is an important step towards realization of a sustainable transportation fuel. In this perspective we discuss current progress in catalysis research to control the rate and extent of hydrogen release and preliminary efforts at regeneration of H3NBH3.

Ammonia-borane: the hydrogen source par excellence?

In the search for future energy supplies, the application of hydrogen as an energy carrier is seen as a prospective issue. However, the implementation of a hydrogen economy is suffering from several unsolved problems. Particularly challenging is the storage of appropriate amounts of hydrogen. In this context one of the promising hydrogen storage techniques relies on liquid-phase chemical hydrogen storage materials, in particular, aqueous sodium borohydride, ammonia borane, hydrazine, hydrazine borane and formic acid. The use of these materials in hydrogen storage provides high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen densities, low potential risk, and low capital investment because it is largely compatible with the current transport infrastructure. In this review, we survey the research progresses in hydrogen generation from these liquid-phase chemical hydrogen storage materials and their regeneration.

J.M. Van Paasschen

Papers

New synthetic approaches to ammonia-borane and its deuterated derivatives