A review on the use of nanometals as catalysts for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

This perspective highlights the state-of-the-art solid-state hydrogen storage and describes newly emerging routes towards meeting the practical demands required of a solid-state storage system. The article focuses both on the physical and chemical aspects of hydrogen storage. Common to both classes of storage material is the concept of nanostructure design to tailor kinetics and thermodynamics; whether this be control of functionalised porosity or crystalline growth on the nanoscale. In the area of chemical storage, different processing and nanostructuring techniques that have been employed to overcome the barriers of slow kinetics will be discussed in addition to new chemical systems that have emerged. The prospects of porous inorganic solids, coordination polymers (metal organic frameworks; MOFs) and other polymeric matrices for physical storage of hydrogen will be highlighted. Additionally the role of inorganic nanostructures as evolving materials “intermediate” between physical and chemical storage systems will be discussed and their place within the fine thermodynamic balance for optimum hydrogen uptake and release considered.

Emerging concepts in solid-state hydrogen storage: the role of nanomaterials design

Magnesium nanoparticles have been synthesized by reducing di-n-butylmagnesium with lithium in the presence of naphthalene as an electron carrier. The reactants' ratio significantly influenced the particle size leading to some control of the nucleation and growth process with magnesium particles as small as 8 nm produced at high lithium/naphthalene ratios. Studies of hydrogen storage properties showed that these materials were capable of hydrogen uptake at low temperatures (<150 °C) with kinetics dependent to some extent on the particle size. More remarkably, thermodynamics were found to significantly deviate from that of bulk MgH2 with a significant decrease of both enthalpy (to 63.5 ± 1.8 kJ mol−1 H2) and entropy (to 118.4 ± 3.1 J K−1 mol−1 H2) for particle sizes below 25 nm. These effects are much larger than previously thought and demonstrate that even relatively large isolated nanoparticles can undergo significant thermodynamic alterations.

Size effects and hydrogen storage properties of Mg nanoparticles synthesised by an electroless reduction method

Mg nanostructures have enhanced the great potential of bulk Mg in the area of energy storage and conversion due to their lightweight, abundant, and high-energy density properties. In this paper, we highlight the recent developments in the synthesis of Mg nanostructures and their application in two specific areas: high-energy batteries and hydrogen storage (related to fuel cells). We hope it will benefit further developments of Mg nanostructures.

Magnesium nanostructures for energy storage and conversion

Recent advances in catalytic combustion of AP-based composite solid propellants

Preparation and characterization of Mg nanoparticles

In this paper, the catalytic effect of Zn nanopowders on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as well as those of Zn micropowders has been investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results show that both nanometer and micrometer Zn powders show similar excellent catalytic effect on the decomposition of AP, while the total heat releases of AP added by Zn nanopowders are generally higher than those of AP added by Zn micropowders. In addition, an attempt has been made to explain the observed results with the help of theoretical considerations and data generated during this work.

Mei-Rong Song

Papers

Preparation and characterization of Mg nanoparticles

Effect of Zn Powders on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate