Catalytic studies of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene-based liquid organic hydrogen carrier

Abstract

Hydrogen has been identified as a key energy carrier in the transition to a low-carbon economy due to its high energy density and zero carbon emissions. However, conventional hydrogen storage and transportation remain challenging due to its low density and high flammability. Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) have emerged as a promising hydrogen storage and transport solution due to their safety, efficiency, compatibility with existing infrastructure, scalability, and flexibility. This study presents a novel LOHC candidate, 1,3,5- triphenylbenzene (1,3,5-TPhB), which has much higher theoretical hydrogen capacity compared to other developed LOHC systems.

This study investigates the potential of 1,3,5-TPhB as a LOHC by examining its hydrogenation performance using various heterogeneous catalysts. The composition of the hydrogenated mixture is identified using chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), while the porosity and composition of the catalysts are analysed using nitrogen physisorption analysis, X-ray diffusion (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively.

This study also highlights the possibility of the addition of molecules with higher hydrogen capacity into well-studied LOHC system to further increase the overall hydrogen storage density. It demonstrates its potential as a valuable hydrogen storage and transportation candidate in sustainable energy systems.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Supervisor	Minhua SHAO (Supervisor)