材料期刊网

Aluminum is the most abundant crustal metallic element on the earth and 100% recycled in theory. Controlled hydrogen generation (HG) by reaction of aluminum with water could provide a renewable energy cycle to address the global energy problem. In this perspective, we present the state of art in the principle, mechanism, approaches, and hydrogen generator of HG from the reaction of aluminum with water, and further discuss some remaining problems in the development of aluminum-based HG system. The key to the HG by the reaction of aluminum with water is how to disrupt/inhibit a native/regeneration coherent and adherent passivation film of aluminum surface. The fast kinetics is desirable in developing the aluminum-based HG system for the practical application. The design of hydrogen generator should focus on the utilization of reaction heat to preheat fuel, the recycle of water from the fuel cell, the fuel cartridges and the process of separation by the membrane. The use of recycled scrap aluminum will provide a reasonable hydrogen cost, thus promoting its commercial applications.