Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & Technology
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Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a chemical compound that releases hydrogen and methane when heated moderately.
- New material – A novel solid-state organometallic compound contains magnesium, zinc, hydrogen, and carbon – Magnesium hydridomethylzincate that can store and release two important fuel gases - hydrogen and methane.
- Working – When the compound was heated in solution to 100° C, it released hydrogen — and when its crystals were heated in the absence of a solvent, at 80-110° C, it released both hydrogen and methane.
- Potential application – Since magnesium hydridomethylzincate is a solid at room temperature, it could offer an alternative to transporting methane and hydrogen as compressed gases.
- This, together with the relatively low temperature required to liberate the gases, merits more research on the compound.
- Hydrogen, emerging fuel – Both in India and around the world, hydrogen is emerging as an important new fuel because its combustion does not directly release carbon dioxide.
- Difficult to store & transport – However, because of its very low density, hydrogen is very difficult to store and transport and demands the use of expensive technologies.
- Need for better fuel storage – Current methods often rely on
- Compressed gas storage
- Specialized infrastructure
- High transportation costs
- A solid material capable of storing and releasing fuel gases could provide a safer and more efficient alternative.
- Significance – The organometallic compounds could potentially provide molecular platforms for the storage and controlled release of fuel gases.
- Limitation – The compound is highly sensitive to moisture, and it is not known whether it can be ‘replenished’ once its gaseous contents have been depleted.
Reference
The Hindu | IISER researchers make solid material that releases two fuel gases
