Catenated Porous Supramolecular Crystals for Balanced Hydrogen Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen storage materials face challenges in achieving both high volumetric and gravimetric capacities, with most materials failing to balance surface area and volume, which is crucial for efficient fuel cell vehicle performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of porous supramolecular crystals with controlled catenation through hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 7-fold catenated superstructure, maintaining high gravimetric and volumetric surface areas and tailored pore diameters for optimal hydrogen storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If porous adsorbent materials are developed for hydrogen storage at reduced pressure, then gravimetric storage capacity is improved, but volumetric storage capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegravimetric storage capacityVSAvoidvolumetric storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling pore diameter (1.0-1.9 nm), gravimetric surface area (≥1500 m²/g), volumetric surface area (≥1500 m²/cm³), and total pore volume (≥0.8 cm³/g) to achieve optimal hydrogen storage performance that balances both gravimetric and volumetric capacities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials through the design of porous supramolecular crystals with catenated superstructures, combining multiple functional components to achieve synergistic effects that simultaneously improve gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities beyond what single materials can achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If high volumetric surface area is increased, then volumetric storage capacity is improved, but gravimetric surface area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric surface areaVSAvoidgravimetric surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by simultaneously optimizing multiple parameters: volumetric surface area (≥1500 m²/cm³) and gravimetric surface area (≥1500 m²/g) are both enhanced through controlled pore diameter (1.0-1.9 nm) and total pore volume (≥0.8 cm³/g), achieving a balance that neither parameter sacrifices the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The supramolecular crystals achieve record-high volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities, surpassing DOE targets, with RP-H101 demonstrating 53.7 g L−1 and 9.3 wt % capacity under cryogenic conditions, balancing both volume and weight requirements.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the porous supramolecular crystal with hydrogen under conditions sufficient for adsorbing hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

controlled catenation through hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 7-fold catenated superstructure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Data Source

PatentUS20260021469A1Porous supramolecular crystals and methods of making and using the same for hydrogen storage

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 NORTHWESTERN UNIV

AI summary

A porous supramolecular crystal having a catenated superstructure and methods of making and using the same are disclosed.