Advances in Ruthenium Catalysed Hydrogen Release from C1 Storage Materials

Abstract

Recent years have seen an increasing demand for fossil-fuels and consequent mounting damage to the environment. With this increasing demand the need for a renewable alternative source of energy is required. Hydrogen has been highlighted as an interesting alternative energy carrier showing both practical and economic advantages, particularly when used in conjunction with a hydrogen fuel cell [1]. Whilst there has been much progression in the clean and renewable production of hydrogen through; biomass gasification, photoelectrolysis and also electrolysis using energy derived from renewable sources [2,3], a challenge remains for the storage and delivery of hydrogen for small and mobile applications. This mini-review discusses a range of viable C1 hydrogen storage materials and focuses on the key publications, as well as recent additions to the literature, related to the ruthenium catalysed release of hydrogen as this is one of most intensively researched areas of the field. Current progress in the homogeneous ruthenium catalysed reduction of CO2 is also discussed.

Homogeneous Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Hydrogen and Methanol Economies, Fuels from Biomass, and Related Topics

“… 251 − 254 Detailed review articles featuring dehydrogenation of alcohols catalyzed by transition metal complexes have been reported recently. 255 − 257 …”

“…Relevant to this review are the opportunities that biomass presents as a potential renewable feedstock for H 2 production . Several catalysts, mostly heterogeneous, have been reported for the production of hydrogen gas using gasification or thermochemical conversion of biomass. − Recently, a few transition metal complexes have been utilized for the efficient production of H 2 from biomass feedstock, e.g., (bio)­ethanol, − glycerol, − and polyols, e.g., sugar alcohols. − Detailed review articles featuring dehydrogenation of alcohols catalyzed by transition metal complexes have been reported recently. − …”

Water decontamination with hydrogen production using microwave-formed minute-made ruthenium catalysts

“…Reviews into the area of hydrogen storageand-release systems in general [11][12][13] and others that focus specifically on the use of C 1 organic compounds as suitable storage materials have recently been published. [14][15][16][17] Whilst many of the methodologies covered in these reviews require harsh reaction conditions or have considerable technical obstacles hindering the facile release of hydrogen; our previously reported catalytic system allows for hydrogen pro- duction from aqueous formaldehyde solutions at low temperatures without the need for any additives. 10 Having noted the rapid dehydrogenation of aqueous formaldehyde, it has been speculated whether the methodology could be expanded to become applicable for the catalytic removal of formaldehyde contamination, in wastewater, with the concomitant production of hydrogen.…”