This image offers an abstract visual representation of graphene oxide sheets (black layers) embedded with nanodiamonds (bright white points). The nanodiamonds exert long range electrostatic forces (nebulous white circles) which stabilize the sheets even in humid conditions creating a promising membrane material for hydrogen purification.
(Yasuhiro Chida (Brocken 5) and Toru Tsuji (Photograph))
Nanodiamonds may be tiny, but they can help with one of the biggest problems facing humanity today: Climate change.
Hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel, leaves nothing but water when consumed. Many countries view hydrogen as a way to a zero-carbon future, but switching to a hydrogen economy requires its production to be much more affordable than it is now.
In a study published in Nature Energy this month, researchers led by Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) describe how nanodiamond-reinforced composite membranes can purify hydrogen from its humid mixtures, making the hydrogen generation processes vastly more efficient and cost-effective.
“There are several scalable methodologies to produce hydrogen, but hydrogen generally comes as humid mixtures and their purification is a challenge,” says Professor Easan Sivaniah, who led the iCeMS team. “Membrane technology allows for energy-efficient and economical separation processes. But we need to have the right membrane materials to make it work,” Sivaniah added.
Graphene oxide (GO), a water-soluble derivative of graphite, can be assembled to form a membrane that can be used for hydrogen purification. Hydrogen gas easily passes through these filters, while larger molecules get stuck.
Hydrogen is typically separated from CO2 or O2 in very humid conditions. GO sheets are negatively charged, which causes them to repel each other. When exposed to humidity, the negatively charged sheets repel each other even more, allowing water molecules to accumulate in the spaces between the GO sheets, which eventually dissolves the membrane.
Dr. Behnam Ghalei, who co-supervised the research, explained that adding nanodiamonds to the GO sheets resolves the humidity-induced disintegration problem. “Positively charged nanodiamonds can cancel out the membrane’s negative repulsions, making the GO sheets more compact and water-resistant.”
The team also included other research groups from Japan and abroad. The researchers at Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (SPring-8 / JASRI) conducted advanced X-ray studies. The Institute for Quantum Life Science (QST) helped with materials development. ShanghaiTech University (China) and National Central University (Taiwan) were involved in state-of-the-art materials characterizations.
“In our collaboration with Dr. Ryuji Igarashi of QST, we were able to access nanodiamonds with well-defined sizes and functionality, without which the research would not have been possible,” says Sivaniah. “Importantly, Igarashi’s group has a patented technology to scale up nanodiamonds production at a reasonable cost in the future.”
Sivaniah says that nanodiamonds have potential uses beyond hydrogen production. Humidity control is also vital in a number of other fields, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lithium-ion battery production. Membrane technology could also revolutionize air conditioning by efficiently removing humidity. Air conditioners are among the most inefficient ways to cool, as a significant amount of the electricity used to power them is used to remove humidity, generating more CO2 emissions and creating a vicious spiral for global warming.
The Japanese government is deeply committed to a zero-carbon future. It has established a US$20 billion Green Innovation Fund to support joint partnerships between major industry players and entrepreneurial ventures that bring new technologies to the market.
iCeMS at Kyoto University is one of the leading institutes in Japan for innovative approaches in engaging science to help society. Sivaniah is the founder of OOYOO (www.OOYOO.co.jp), a start-up which aims to be instrumental in commercializing membrane technology for a zero-carbon future.
Original Article: Nanodiamonds are key to efficient hydrogen purification
More from: Kyoto University | ShanghaiTech University | National Central University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Hydrogen generation
- Really Cold Hydrogen Could Bring Driving Range Parity with Diesel
The time it takes to fuel a hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck is already on par with diesel. But there is still a yawning gap when it comes to comparable driving range.
- 6 Best Green Hydrogen Stocks and ETFs to Watch
Green hydrogen is made with renewably generated electricity used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen using a tool called an electrolyzer. Fuel cells essentially perform the reverse operation to ...
- California Welcomes First Big-Rig Hydrogen Fuel Station in U.S.
The country’s first commercial hydrogen fuel station for big-rig trucks is up and running at the Port of Oakland, a step toward what hydrogen proponents see as a clean new future for long-haul ...
- The Hydrogen Stream: 1.2 TW of electrolyzers globally in development
Aurora Energy Research says it has recorded a sharp increase in green hydrogen projects, with 90% of them in early phases of development, while E.ON says that Germany’s hydrogen ramp-up is stuck due ...
- FirstElement brings heavy-duty hydrogen fueling capabilities to the masses
FirstElement opens the first public hydrogen fueling station for commercial vehicles in the Port of Oakland, helping eliminate almost 50 million lb. of CO2 emissions.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Hydrogen generation
[google_news title=”” keyword=”hydrogen generation” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Nanodiamonds
- Biomedical Applications of Nanodiamonds in Imaging and Therapy
Nanodiamonds have attracted remarkable scientific attention for bioimaging and therapeutic applications owing to their low toxicity with many cell lines, convenient surface properties and stable ...
- On a quantum quest: Europe’s journey towards technological innovation
April marks World Quantum Day – an annual celebration dedicated to spreading awareness about quantum technologies (QT). Scientists predict that within a decade these technologies will significantly ...
- Chinese researchers turn diamonds into good conductors of electricity
Using nanodiamonds, the researchers synthesized ultrafine diamond grains interconnected with graphene layers. The process was carried out under a moderate temperature range of 2,372-2,732 degrees ...
- Biomedical Applications of Nanodiamonds in Imaging and Therapy
Physical and chemical properties, biocompatablity and low toxicity of nanodiamonds (NDs) open up promising possibilities for using them as theranostic agents. Spectroscopic properties of NDs make ...
- Understanding Nanodiamonds – Their Structure, Properties, and Applications
The synthesis of nanodiamonds can be achieved through several methods, each with distinct characteristics and implications for their use: Nanodiamonds exhibit unique optical properties, including a ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Nanodiamonds
[google_news title=”” keyword=”nanodiamonds” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]