Low-temperature aqueous-phase methanol dehydrogenation to hydrogen and carbon dioxide

Nature 495,85–89(07 March 2013)doi:10.1038/nature11891Received 28 June 2012 Accepted 07 January 2013
Low-temperature aqueous-phase methanol dehydrogenation to hydrogen and carbon dioxide
Martin Nielsen, Elisabetta Alberico, Wolfgang Baumann, Hans-Joachim Drexler, Henrik Junge & Matthias Beller
Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse Eingetragener Verein an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein Straße 29a, Rostock, 18059, Germany
Elisabetta Alberico
Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, CNR, traversa La Crucca 3, Sassari 07040, Italy
Serafino Gladiali
Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Universitá di Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
Abstract
Using low-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, molecular hydrogen can be converted efficiently to produce electricity. The implementation of sustainable hydrogen production and subsequent hydrogen conversion to energy is called “hydrogen economy”. The physical properties of hydrogen gas, however, make difficult its transport and handling. Because it is a liquid at room temperature and contains 12.6 per cent hydrogen, methanol can be used as a material for the storage of hydrogen. Unfortunately, the state-of-the-art method for the production of hydrogen from methanol is conducted at high temperatures  and high pressures, limiting its potential applications.
Authors present an efficient low-temperature aqueous-phase methanol dehydrogenation process, facilitated by ruthenium complexes. Hydrogen generation by this method proceeds at 65–95 degrees Celsius and ambient pressure with excellent catalyst turnover frequencies and turnover numbers. This makes feasible the delivery of hydrogen on mobile devices, and hence the use of methanol as a practical hydrogen carrier.
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