New hydride-conducting electrolytes for improved hydrogen-based energy technology

Similar to batteries, a fuel cell is a device that converts energy stored in molecules into electricity through an electrochemical reaction. When using hydrogen as the energy source, a typical hydrogen fuel cell has an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte (polymer) membrane.

Current hydrogen-based fuel cells, for example for use in electric vehicles, typically work by allowing hydrogen protons to pass from the anode to the cathode through the membrane. However, efficient hydrogen movement using this design requires water, which means that the membrane must be continually hydrated. To overcome this limitation, much research has gone into finding a material capable of conducting negative hydride ions through solid materials, particularly at room temperature.

A Japanese research team has developed a solid electrolyte for transporting hydride ions (H⁻) at room temperature. This is a major breakthrough which may bring hydrogen-based energy storage and fuel one step closer to becoming a practical reality.