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Vanadium-Based MOF Catalysts Enable Low-Temperature Hydrogen Release from Magnesium Hydride

MgH₂ has an extremely high hydrogen storage density, but requires temperatures above 300°C to release hydrogen. The emergence of vanadium-based MOF catalysts has made low-temperature hydrogen storage possible. Research from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China shows that vanadium significantly increases the Mg-H bond length from 1.714Å in pure MgH₂ to 3.116Å, making it easier for hydrogen atoms to break free.

The NiCo-MOF/V-O catalyst, synthesized using vanadate-induced doping, lowers the onset hydrogen desorption temperature of MgH₂ from over 300°C to 155°C with just 7wt% vanadate doping, a 125°C reduction. At 300°C, the composite material releases 6.5wt% hydrogen within 5 minutes, while pure MgH₂ releases only 0.5wt% in the same time. The multi-valence state changes of vanadium (V⁰, V³⁺, V⁵⁺) continue to play a role in the cycle. After 30 cycles of hydrogen absorption and desorption, the effective capacity retention rate is still as high as 97.5%, providing a new option for low-temperature scenarios such as on-board hydrogen storage.