Hydrogen is the simplest molecule in the universe, yet efficient H2 activation, utilization and storage present considerable technological challenges that must be overcome if we are to realize the “green” energy transition. One such phenomenon is “H spillover”, in which H2 is adsorbed (usually on a metal) and then transferred to a metal oxide or carbon surface. Once off the metal, the H becomes highly mobile, scampering freely across the surface. We recently provided the first quantitative measures of H spillover, which leads to the surprising conclusion that spill over is a rare example of entropy-driven adsorption. This has important implications for spillover-based H2 storage materials and H2 utilization / storage reactions such as CO2 hydrogenation.
The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. Join researchers from across campus for a stellar cup of coffee and two <10 min interdisciplinary talks.