Sodium Borohydride: The Key to Efficient and Safe Hydrogen Storage
- UM Research
- May 9
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9
For many years, using fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas that release carbon dioxide during combustion has contributed to the greenhouse effect, effectively trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere and leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Green energy, a clean alternative to fossil fuels, is an energy source that does not harm the environment. Hydrogen is a source of green energy, and its combustion only releases water vapour as a by-product, and it has been increasingly studied in recent years due to its environmental protection benefits. However, the process of generating and transporting hydrogen remains a complex procedure.
According to Professor Dr. Wan Jefrey Basirun from the Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya, hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles is currently stored as compressed gas, requiring high-pressure containers. Liquefying hydrogen is another option, but the extreme conditions required - ultra-low temperatures and high pressures - are not practical for most applications. That is when Prof. Dr. Wan Jefrey decided to research in detail sodium borohydride, a solid form of hydrogen that presents a potential game-changer.
"When you add water to sodium borohydride, it releases hydrogen gas, which can then be used in fuel cells. This solid hydrogen form stores significantly more hydrogen per gram compared to compressed hydrogen gas," he said.
Sodium borohydride, also known as solid hydrogen, is easily transportable due to its compact and stable nature. The solid form does not require specialised high-pressure vehicles for transportation and reduces the need to build long pipelines with high maintenance costs. Prof. Dr. Wan Jefrey's primary research interest is sodium borohydride, which could potentially extend the use of hydrogen energy beyond transportation, making it a viable power source for industrial facilities, remote areas, and emergency backup energy.
Despite its potential, like any other project, sodium borohydride faces its challenges. Prof. Dr. Wan Jefrey shared that one of the issues is the recycling process of sodium metaborate (NaBO2), a by-product of the breakdown of sodium borohydride back to its original form.
"The current method of recycling involves a pressure cooker setup at over 100°C, which we have demonstrated is feasible at the laboratory level. We're also investigating an electrochemical process that could make regeneration more sustainable and feasible at room temperature. This could revolutionise the regeneration cycle, making it more practical for industrial applications," he said, adding that intellectual property has been approved for his innovative recycling solution.
Nevertheless, Prof. Dr. Wan Jefrey said that scaling these processes to larger applications from the laboratory setting to industry application remains a hurdle, requiring the establishment of pilot plants to validate and optimise these methods for mass production. The researcher emphasises the need for a comprehensive infrastructure to support sodium borohydride as a hydrogen energy carrier.
"To ensure the viability of the technology, awareness among end-users, such as vehicle manufacturers and energy companies, is essential. Without end users, the whole process is essentially useless. You need an ecosystem where the sodium borohydride is produced, transported, used, and recycled," he explained.
On future plans, Prof. Dr. Wan Jefrey looks forward to collaboration between researchers, industry players, and governments. With increasing investment in hydrogen infrastructure and awareness among the population, he envisions a future that adopts the use of sodium borohydride technology as a source of green hydrogen energy.
#GreenEnergy #HydrogenPower #CleanEnergy #SustainableFuture #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #EnergyInnovation #HydrogenEconomy #EcoFriendly #ZeroEmissions #GreenTech #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #CleanTech #FutureOfEnergy
Researcher Featured:
Professor Dr Wan Jefrey Basirun
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
Author:
Mr. Wong Zhi Yong
A passionate medical student who seeks a balance between science and writing. From dissecting the intricacies of the human body to weaving narratives, I am intrigued by medicine and the written word.
Image by:
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Nurhazrin Zanzabir, Assistant Administrativ Officer, UM
Comments