CO2 to formate (the deprotonated form of formic acid) at room temperature, successfully regenerate H2, and then repeat the cycle. It’s a design principle we are very fortunate to have found,” said Hull.
The regenerated high-pressure gas mixture (hydrogen and carbon dioxide) is quite pure; importantly, no carbon monoxide (CO) — an impurity that can ‘poison’ fuel cells and thus reduce their lifetime — was detected. Therefore, this method of storing and regenerating hydrogen might have a use in hydrogen fuel cells.
