Phosphine-Oxide Catalyzed Hydrogen Release from Silylated Derivatives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for hydrogen production and storage face challenges such as inefficiency, high costs, and safety concerns, particularly with metal hydrides, which are expensive, toxic, and require complex recycling processes, while existing hydrogen storage methods like high pressures and cryogenics are energy-intensive and volumetrically inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A phosphine-oxide catalyzed process using silylated derivatives in a basic aqueous solvent, where a phosphorous-based catalyst contacts a compound with Si-H groups to produce hydrogen efficiently, with high yields and low production costs, and the method can be scaled up easily.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If metal hydrides are used as hydrogen storage medium, then energy density by volume is improved, but energy density by weight deteriorates and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy density by volumeVSAvoidenergy density by weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive metal hydrides with inexpensive organosilane compounds that can be easily handled and stored. The organosilane-based hydrogen storage system uses materials like tetrahydrogermane and trimethylsilylamine which are commercially available and significantly cheaper than metal hydrides, while maintaining practical energy density for automotive applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters from metal-based hydrides to organosilane compounds with specific Si-H bonds. This parameter change enables hydrogen release at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, eliminating the need for high-temperature processing while achieving both good volumetric and gravimetric energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of stationary object

If high pressure compression is used to improve energy density by volume, then storage capacity is improved, but energy loss to compression increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy density by volumeVSAvoidenergy loss to compression

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the chemical phase transition of organosilane compounds from liquid/gas state to release hydrogen through controlled hydrolysis or oxidation reactions. This chemical transformation allows hydrogen release without mechanical compression, eliminating compression energy losses while achieving high energy density through molecular packing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Quantity of substance

If organosilane compounds like siloxene are used for hydrogen production, then hydrogen yield is improved, but toxicity and environmental friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen yieldVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects organosilane compounds that are inexpensive, non-toxic, and environmentally benign. The chosen compounds such as tetrahydrogermane and trimethylsilylamine have low toxicity profiles and their by-products are environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for complex recycling processes while maintaining high hydrogen yields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the Si-H bond reactivity, which could be considered a hazard, into a benefit by utilizing controlled hydrolysis or oxidation reactions that release hydrogen safely. The by-products of these reactions are environmentally friendly substances that do not require complex treatment or recycling, turning potential harmful chemical reactivity into a safe and efficient hydrogen source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This process enables the production of hydrogen in large amounts with high yields and low costs, using commercially available and inexpensive materials, and allows for efficient recycling of by-products, addressing the inefficiencies and safety concerns of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

contacting a compound (C) comprising one or more groups Si-H with a phosphorous based catalyst in the presence of a base in water as a solvent, thereby forming hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a phosphorous based catalyst in a basic aqueous solvent, where a phosphorous-based catalyst contacts a compound with Si-H groups to produce hydrogen efficiently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2536658B1Phosphine-oxide catalyzed process of production of hydrogen from silylated derivatives as hydrogen carrier

Publication Date: 2014.12.03 UNIV DAIX MARSEILLE

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of: i) contacting a compound (C) comprising one or more groups Si-H with a phosphorous based catalyst in the presence of a base in water as solvent, thereby forming hydrogen and a by-product (C1); wherein said phosphorous based catalyst is as defined in claim 1; and ii) recovering the obtained hydrogen.