A compact, flexible polymer sheet may offer a safe and efficient system for storing and carrying hydrogen. The material developed at Waseda University, Japan, is safe to touch even when filled with hydrogen gas.

The non-flammable polymer fixes hydrogen via simple electrolytic hydrogenation.The ketone (fluorenone) polymer can be molded as a plastic sheet and can fix hydrogen via electrolytic hydrogenation at -1.5V (versus Ag/AgCl) in water at room temperature.

Hydrogen is released when the polymer is heated to 80 C (176 F) with an aqueous iridium catalyst. Under mild conditions, the cycle of fixing and releasing hydrogen can be repeated without significant deterioration, which may pave the way to development of a plastic container for hydrogen that can be carried in your pocket.

The researchers cite easy handling, moldability, robustness, non-flammability, and low toxicity as major advantages of the ketone/alcohol polymer. The research results are also expected to contribute to building distributed energy systems in remote areas.