Solution to use hydrogen instead of fossil fuels

Scientists at Lausane Federal University of Technology (EPFL) and German colleagues have found a solution to safely store hydrogen.

This discovery is considered a great step forward in science, because previously, hydrogen was considered to replace fossil fuels, however, it was inherently flammable and difficult to preserve.

The team led by EPOR Professor Gabenc Laurenczy, along with Matthias Beller and Ralf Ludwig of Rostock University, Germany, have initially figured out how to convert hydrogen into formic acid thanks to a catalyst and CO2. inherent in the air.

This reaction produces a very hard substance to catch fire and liquid at the same temperature compared to the surrounding. Next, through the new catalyst, formic acid is transferred back to CO ₂ and hydrogen. Here, hydrogen can be converted into electrical energy and fueled by automobile engines.

Previously, the conversion of hydrogen into formic acid requires a very expensive catalyst like ruthenium. But now, Swiss scientists have succeeded in conducting reactions from iron materials, a metal that is easy to find and inexpensive.