High-density storage of H2 in microporous crystalline silica at ambient conditions.

Molecular hydrogen was encapsulated in the cages of clathrasil decadodecasil 3R (DD3R) during the hydrothermal synthesis of this microporous silicate. The crystalline structure of DD3R facilitates high-density hydrogen storage at ambient conditions. Prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) revealed that on average about one molecule of H2 is trapped in each (5(12)) cage of DD3R. The presence of molecular hydrogen inside the DD3R framework was confirmed by solid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy. Temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) in combination with mass spectrometry showed that the encapsulated hydrogen is released upon decomposition of the clathrasil structure. This release can be promoted by the presence of water.