Two researchers(*) at the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University succeeded in the synthesis of a new material, a one-dimensional dimer, by making use of self-assembly, synthesis techniques which, in turn, were much easier than traditional methods. These researchers also found that when a one-dimensional space was used for hydrogen storage, the storage capacity of this material became the largest among existing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) at ambient conditions.

In the face of ever-increasing serious energy and environmental problems and in order to obtain a new source of alternative energy to that of oil, the achievement of hydrogen-based society is sought after. To this end, a technology for storing and releasing hydrogen as energy carrier is needed. For example, hydrogen turns into water through burning; however, existing hydrogen storage alloys and porous substances have problems — adsorption and desorption of hydrogen is irreversible and operating capacity at room temperature is poor. Therefore, their applications are limited.

(*)TAKAMI Tsuyoshi, Assistant Professor, KAWAMURA Kazushi, Technical staff, Analytical Measurement Room

(Link) http://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/research/2014/20140904_1