The role of Ti as a catalyst for the dissociation of hydrogen on a Mg(0001) surface

In this paper, the dissociative chemisorption of hydrogen on both pure and Ti-incorporated Mg(0001) surfaces are studied by ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The calculated dissociation barrier of hydrogen molecule on a pure Mg(0001) surface (1.05 eV) is in good agreement with comparable theoretical studies. For the Ti-incorporated Mg(0001) surface, the activated barrier decreases to 0.103 eV due to the strong interaction between the molecular orbital of hydrogen and the d metal state of Ti. This could explain the experimentally observed improvement in absorption kinetics of hydrogen when transition metals have been introduced into the magnesium materials.     

Body centered cubic magnesium niobium hydride with facile room temperature absorption and four weight percent reversible capacity

We have synthesized a new metastable metal hydride with promising hydrogen storage properties. Body centered cubic (bcc) magnesium niobium hydride (Mg(0.75)Nb(0.25))H(2) possesses 4.5 wt% hydrogen gravimetric density, with 4 wt% being reversible. Volumetric hydrogen absorption measurements yield an enthalpy of hydride formation of -53 kJ mol(-1) H(2), which indicates a significant thermodynamic destabilization relative to the baseline -77 kJ mol(-1) H(2) for rutile MgH(2). The hydrogenation cycling kinetics are remarkable. At room temperature and 1 bar hydrogen it takes 30 minutes to absorb a 1.5 μm thick film at sorption cycle 1, and 1 minute at cycle 5. Reversible desorption is achieved in about 60 minutes at 175 °C. Using ab initio calculations we have examined the thermodynamic stability of metallic alloys with hexagonal close packed (hcp) versus bcc crystal structure. Moreover we have analyzed the formation energies of the alloy hydrides that are bcc, rutile or fluorite.     

Metallic and carbon nanotube-catalyzed coupling of hydrogenation in magnesium

Synergistic effect of metallic couple and carbon nanotubes on Mg results in an ultrafast kinetics of hydrogenation that overcome a critical barrier of practical use of Mg as hydrogen storage materials. The ultrafast kinetics is attributed to the metal-H atomic interaction at the Mg surface and in the bulk (energy for bonding and releasing) and atomic hydrogen diffusion along the grain boundaries (aggregation of carbon nanotubes) and inside the grains. Hence, a hydrogenation mechanism is presented.     

Hydrogenation of single-wall carbon nanotubes using polyamine reagents: combined experimental and theoretical study

We combine experimental observations with ab initio calculations to study the reversible hydrogenation of single-wall carbon nanotubes using high boiling polyamines as hydrogenation reagents. Our calculations characterize the nature of the adsorption bond and identify preferential adsorption geometries at different coverages. We find the barrier for sigmatropic rearrangement of chemisorbed hydrogen atoms to be approximately 1 eV, thus facilitating surface diffusion and formation of energetically favored, axially aligned adsorbate chains. Chemisorbed hydrogen modifies the structure and stability of nanotubes significantly and increases the inter-tube distance, thus explaining the improved dispersability in solvents like methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and benzene.     

乙炔等离子体法制备超细Mg纳米颗粒及其吸放氢循环性能

采用乙炔等离子体蒸发Mg的方法成功制备了40 nm左右的超细Mg纳米颗粒. 通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面积测试(BET)和吸放氢测试等方法对其微观结构和吸放氢循环性质进行了研究. 超细Mg纳米颗粒具有比普通Mg颗粒更大的比表面积, 氢扩散至颗粒内部所需距离更短, 因而大大提高了其吸放氢动力学性质. Mg纳米颗粒表面的C既减少了Mg的氧化, 又阻碍了吸放氢过程中Mg颗粒的长大. 这种超细结构的Mg纳米颗粒具有良好的循环性质, 30次循环后容量仍没有衰减.     

Mg-based nanocomposites with high capacity and fast kinetics for hydrogen storage

Magnesium and its alloys have shown a great potential in effective hydrogen storage due to their advantages of high volumetric/gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity and low cost. However, the use of these materials in fuel cells for automotive applications at the present time is limited by high hydrogenation temperature and sluggish sorption kinetics. This paper presents the recent results of design and development of magnesium-based nanocomposites demonstrating the catalytic effects of carbon nanotubes and transition metals on hydrogen adsorption in these materials. The results are promising for the application of magnesium materials for hydrogen storage, with significantly reduced absorption temperatures and enhanced ab/desorption kinetics. High level Density Functional Theory calculations support the analysis of the hydrogenation mechanisms by revealing the detailed atomic and molecular interactions that underpin the catalytic roles of incorporated carbon and titanium, providing clear guidance for further design and development of such materials with better hydrogen storage properties.     

Hydrogenation of molecular cyclic diborane4 compounds featuring B-B bonds and olefinic or aromatic bridges: a quantum chemical study

Hydrogenation reactions starting with di- or oligonuclear boron compounds featuring direct B-B bonds with the B atoms in the formal oxidation state +II are analyzed with the aid of ab initio quantum chemical (RI-MP2) calculations. The products of these reactions are B(III) hydrides which might be useful starting reagents for stoichiometric hydrogenation reactions and possibly in special cases also for hydrogen storage. Several different isomers of these B(III) hydrides featuring either terminal or bridging H atoms were considered. The results are compared to hydrogenation reactions of related molecules.     

含羧酸镁(钙)官能团的多孔芳香骨架材料储氢性能的预测

用MP2方法,TZVPP基组以及基组重叠误差(BSSE)校正计算了氢分子与修饰在多孔芳香骨架(PAF)上的羧酸镁、羧酸钙官能团的相互作用,并建立了描述这一相互作用的分子力学力场.在此基础上用巨正则系综蒙特卡洛(GCMC)模拟预测了氢气在该种新型PAF材料上的吸附等温线.量子化学计算结果表明,每个羧酸镁、羧酸钙官能团分别可以提供13、14个氢分子吸附位点,与每个氢分子的平均结合能在8kJ·mol-1左右.通过比较不同温度和压力下材料的绝对吸附量和超额吸附量发现,在PAF骨架中引入羧酸镁、羧酸钙官能团可以显著提高材料的综合储氢性能,达到并超过了美国能源部提出的2015年储氢标准.同时该工作还揭示了氢吸附量与材料的表面积、空腔体积和分子作用强度间的复杂关系.     

Coupled cluster and density functional theory calculations of atomic hydrogen chemisorption on pyrene and coronene as model systems for graphene hydrogenation

Ab initio coupled cluster and density functional theory studies of atomic hydrogen addition to the central region of pyrene and coronene as molecular models for graphene hydrogenation were performed. Fully relaxed potential energy curves (PECs) were computed at the spin-unrestricted B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of theory for the atomic hydrogen attack of a center carbon atom (site A), the midpoint of a neighboring carbon bond (site B), and the center of a central hexagon (site C). Using the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ PEC geometries, we evaluated energies at the PBE density functional, as well as ab initio restricted open-shell ROMP2, ROCCSD, and ROCCSD(T) levels of theory, employing cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ basis sets, and performed a G2MS extrapolation to the ROCCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level of theory. In agreement with earlier studies, we find that only site A attack leads to chemisorption. The G2MS entrance channel barrier heights, binding energies, and PEC profiles are found to agree well with a recent ab initio multireference wave function theory study (Bonfanti et al. J. Chem. Phys.2011, 135, 164701), indicating that single-reference open-shell methods including B3LYP are sufficient for the theoretical treatment of the interaction of graphene with a single hydrogen atom.     

Computational modeling of strained alkenes: Choosing the right computational model

The applicability of 12 different quantum chemical calculation methods, including density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio methods, for describing strained alkenes and modeling their gas‐phase basicities (GB), hydrogenation enthalpies, and double bond geometries was studied for a series of systematically defined compounds R1R2C = CR3R4. The calculated values were compared to experimental data that had been compiled from literature for several compounds within the series. The closest relationship between the computational results and experimental data occurred with the G2MP2 ab initio method. The best DFT method for GB values was M062X and for hydrogenation enthalpies PBEPBE. At the same time, the relative effects of compound structure variations on the calculated values were similar among all 12 of the calculation methods tested. The double bond length was relatively insensitive to the sizes of the R substituents in R1R2C = CR3R4, but the torsion angles changed significantly in response to structural changes to the compounds when none of the groups R1–R4 was hydrogen.     

Local defects enhanced dehydrogenation kinetics of the NaBH(4)-added Li-Mg-N-H system

A mechanistic understanding on the enhanced kinetics of hydrogen storage in the NaBH(4)-added Mg(NH(2))(2)-2LiH system is provided by carrying out experimental investigations associated with first-principles calculations. It is found that the operating temperatures for hydrogen desorption of the Mg(NH(2))(2)-2LiH system are reduced by introducing NaBH(4), and the NaBH(4) species seems almost unchanged during dehydrogenation/hydrogenation process. First-principles calculations reveal that the presence of NaBH(4) in the Mg(NH(2))(2)-2LiH system facilitates the formation of Mg vacancies in Mg(NH(2))(2). The appearance of Mg vacancies not only weakens the N-H bonds but also promotes the diffusion of atoms and/or ions, consequently resulting in the improvement of the reaction kinetics of hydrogen desorption/absorption of the NaBH(4)-added Mg(NH(2))(2)-2LiH system. This finding provides us with a deep insight into the role played by NaBH(4) in the Li-Mg-N-H system, as well as ideas for designing high-performance catalysts for metal-N-H-based hydrogen storage media.     

Photodissociation of Hydrated Hydrogen Iodide Clusters

Using high‐level ab initio calculations and excited state ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we show that hydrated iodic acids release hydrogen radicals and/or hydrogen molecules as well as iodine radicals upon excitation. Its photoreaction process involving charge transfer to the solvent takes place in four steps: 1) hydration of the acid, 2) charge transfer to water upon excitation of hydrated acid, 3) detachment of the neutral iodine atom, and 4) detachment of the hydrogen radical. The iodine detachment process from excited hydrated hydro–iodic acids is exothermic and the detachment of hydrogen radicals from hydrated hydronium radicals is spontaneous if the initial kinetic energy of the cluster is high enough to get over the activation barrier of the detachment. The complete release of the radicals can be understood in terms of kinetics. This study shows how the hydrogen and halogen radicals are dissociated and released from their hydrated acids. Simple experiments corroborate our predicted mechanism for the release of hydrogen molecules from iodic acid in water by ultraviolet light.     

Density Functional Theory Study of Hydrogen Adsorption in a Ti‐Decorated Mg‐Based Metal–Organic Framework‐74

The Ti‐binding energy and hydrogen adsorption energy of a Ti‐decorated Mg‐based metal–organic framework‐74 (Mg‐MOF‐74) were evaluated by using first‐principles calculations. Our results revealed that only three Ti adsorption sites were found to be stable. The adsorption site near the metal oxide unit is the most stable. To investigate the hydrogen‐adsorption properties of Ti‐functionalized Mg‐MOF‐74, the hydrogen‐binding energy was determined. For the most stable Ti adsorption site, we found that the hydrogen adsorption energy ranged from 0.26 to 0.48 eV H₂^?1. This is within the desirable range for practical hydrogen‐storage applications. Moreover, the hydrogen capacity was determined by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Our results revealed that the hydrogen uptake by Ti‐decorated Mg‐MOF‐74 at temperatures of 77, 150, and 298 K and ambient pressure were 1.81, 1.74, and 1.29 H₂ wt %, respectively.     

Efficient hydrogen storage with the combination of lightweight Mg/MgH2 and nanostructures

Efficient hydrogen storage plays a key role in realizing the incoming hydrogen economy. However, it still remains a great challenge to develop hydrogen storage media with high capacity, favourable thermodynamics, fast kinetics, controllable reversibility, long cycle life, low cost and high safety. To achieve this goal, the combination of lightweight materials and nanostructures should offer great opportunities. In this article, we review recent advances in the field of chemical hydrogen storage that couples lightweight materials and nanostructures, focusing on Mg/MgH(2)-based systems. Selective theoretical and experimental studies on Mg/MgH(2) nanostructures are overviewed, with the emphasis on illustrating the influences of nanostructures on the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation mechanisms and hydrogen storage properties such as capacity, thermodynamics and kinetics. In particular, theoretical studies have shown that the thermodynamics of Mg/MgH(2) clusters below 2 nm change more prominently as particle size decreases.     

The tetracycline: Mg2+ complex: a molecular mechanics force field

Tetracycline (Tc) is an important antibiotic, which binds specifically to the ribosome and several proteins, in the form of a Tc-:Mg2+ complex. To model Tc:protein and Tc:RNA interactions, we have developed a molecular mechanics force field model of Tc, which is consistent with the CHARMM force field for proteins and nucleic acids. We used structures from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Base to identify the main Tc conformations that are likely to be present in solution and in biomolecular complexes. A conformational search was also done, using the MM3 force field to perform simulated annealing of Tc. Several resulting, low-energy structures were optimized with an ab initio model and used in developing the new Tc force field. Atomic charges and Lennard-Jones parameters were derived from a supermolecule ab initio approach. We considered the ab initio energies and geometries of a probe water molecule interacting with Tc at 36 different positions. We considered both a neutral and a zwitterionic Tc form, with and without bound Mg2+. The final rms deviation between the ab initio and force field energies, averaged over all forms, was just 0.35 kcal/mol. The model also reproduces the ab initio geometry and flexibility of Tc. As further tests, we did simulations of a Tc crystal, of Tc:Mg2+ and Tc:Ca2+ complexes in aqueous solution, and of a solvated complex between Tc:Mg2+ and the Tet repressor protein (TetR). With slight, ad hoc adjustments, the model can reproduce the experimental, relative, Tc binding affinities of Mg2+ and Ca2+. It performs well for the structure and fluctuations of the Tc:Mg2+:TetR complex. The model should therefore be suitable to investigate the interactions of Tc with proteins and RNA. It provides a starting point to parameterize other compounds in the large Tc family.     

分子模拟预测含配位键不饱和Cu的有机骨架(MOFs)材料的储氢性能

本文根据RI-UMP2方法、TZVPP基组和BSSE校正计算得到的能量数据,推导了描述氢分子与含有不饱和配位键的Cu的金属羧酸配合物相互作用的分子力学力场. 用巨正则系综蒙特卡洛模拟(GCMC)计算了氢在含四方形配位Cu的MOFs材料上的吸附等温线. 通过对比CuBTC的实验吸附数据发现,虽然理论预测含有四方形配位Cu的MOFs具有比含有四面体配位Zn的MOFs与氢分子更强的相互作用,实验合成得到的材料尚未反映这一区别. 以现有的CuBTC实验数据为参照消除理论计算和实验测定的系统偏差,预测了3种含有四方形配位Cu的MOFs材料以CuBTC作为参照的储氢能力.     

Improved Hydrogen‐Storage Thermodynamics and Kinetics for an RbF‐Doped Mg(NH2)2–2 LiH System

The introduction of RbF into the Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH system significantly decreased its (de‐)hydrogenation temperatures and enhanced its hydrogen‐storage kinetics. The Mg(NH₂)₂–2 LiH–0.08 RbF composite exhibits the optimal hydrogen‐storage properties as it could reversibly store approximately 4.76 wt % hydrogen through a two‐stage reaction with the onset temperatures of 80 °C for dehydrogenation and 55 °C for hydrogenation. At 130 °C, approximately 70 % of hydrogen was rapidly released from the 0.08 RbF‐doped sample within 180 min, and the fully dehydrogenated sample could absorb approximately 4.8 wt % of hydrogen at 120 °C. Structural analyses revealed that RbF reacted readily with LiH to convert to RbH and LiF owing to the favorable thermodynamics during ball‐milling. The newly generated RbH participated in the following dehydrogenation reaction, consequently resulting in a decrease in the reaction enthalpy change and activation energy.     

Modeling the sorption dynamics of NaH using a reactive force field

We have parametrized a reactive force field for NaH, ReaxFF(NaH), against a training set of ab initio derived data. To ascertain that ReaxFF(NaH) is properly parametrized, a comparison between ab initio heats of formation of small representative NaH clusters with ReaxFF(NaH) was done. The results and trend of ReaxFF(NaH) are found to be consistent with ab initio values. Further validation includes comparing the equations of state of condensed phases of Na and NaH as calculated from ab initio and ReaxFF(NaH). There is a good match between the two results, showing that ReaxFF(NaH) is correctly parametrized by the ab initio training set. ReaxFF(NaH) has been used to study the dynamics of hydrogen desorption in NaH particles. We find that ReaxFF(NaH) properly describes the surface molecular hydrogen charge transfer during the abstraction process. Results on heat of desorption versus cluster size shows that there is a strong dependence on the heat of desorption on the particle size, which implies that nanostructuring enhances desorption process. To gain more insight into the structural transformations of NaH during thermal decomposition, we performed a heating run in a molecular dynamics simulation. These runs exhibit a series of drops in potential energy, associated with cluster fragmentation and desorption of molecular hydrogen. This is consistent with experimental evidence that NaH dissociates at its melting point into smaller fragments.     

Catalytic effects of subsurface carbon in the chemisorption of hydrogen on a Mg(0001) surface: an ab-initio study

Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to explore possible catalytic effects on the dissociative chemisorption of hydrogen on a Mg(0001) surface when carbon is incorporated into Mg materials. The computational results imply that a C atom located initially on a Mg(0001) surface can migrate into the subsurface and occupy an fcc interstitial site, with charge transfer to the C atom from neighboring Mg atoms. The effect of subsurface C on the dissociation of H2 on the Mg(0001) surface is found to be relatively marginal: a perfect sublayer of interstitial C is calculated to lower the barrier by 0.16 eV compared with that on a pure Mg(0001) surface. Further calculations reveal, however, that sublayer C may have a significant effect in enhancing the diffusion of atomic hydrogen into the sublayers through fcc channels. This contributes new physical understanding toward rationalizing the experimentally observed improvement in absorption kinetics of H2 when graphite or single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are introduced into the Mg powder during ball milling.