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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
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Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
Reversibly Electrochemical Ethylamine/Acetonitrile Redox for Hydrogen Storage
Mengyu Lv1, Qinghui Ren2, Ye Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 15, 2026
Summary
A new water-mediated electrochemical system using ethylamine and acetonitrile offers safe, efficient hydrogen storage. This green technology achieves high hydrogen capacity (8.9 wt.%) and easy operation for hydrogen energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Hydrogen energy is crucial for large-scale applications, but efficient storage remains a challenge.
- Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) offer high capacity and safety but require harsh conditions.
- Existing LOHC systems face limitations in temperature and pressure requirements for hydrogen storage and release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel water-mediated electrochemical system for efficient hydrogen storage and release.
- To investigate an ethylamine (EA)/acetonitrile (AN) redox system for safe and convenient hydrogen handling.
- To achieve high hydrogen storage capacity and selectivity using an electrochemical approach.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a water-mediated electrochemical redox system involving ethylamine (EA) and acetonitrile (AN).
- Investigated the hydrogenation of AN to EA (>92% selectivity) and electrooxidation of EA back to AN (>99% selectivity).
- Employed a two-electrode flow electrolyzer for hydrogen storage and release experiments.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high theoretical hydrogen storage capacity of 8.9 wt.%.
- Demonstrated high selectivity for both hydrogenation and electrooxidation steps.
- Attained hydrogen storage and production rates of 5 mmol cm-2 h-1 and 7 mmol cm-2 h-1, respectively.
- Integrated the electrochemical system with distillation for a practical demonstration.
Conclusions:
- The water-mediated EA/AN system provides a green, safe, and efficient method for hydrogen storage and release.
- This electrochemical approach overcomes the limitations of traditional LOHC systems.
- The developed technology presents a viable route for practical hydrogen energy applications.
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